Oxidation of difluorocarbene and subsequent trifluoromethoxylation

Abstract

Abstract As a versatile intermediate, difluorocarbene is an electron-deficient transient species, meaning that its oxidation would be challenging. Herein we show that the oxidation of difluorocarbene could occur smoothly to generate carbonyl fluoride. The oxidation process is confirmed by successful trifluoromethoxylation, 18 O-trifluoromethoxylation, the observation of AgOCF 3 species, and DFT calculations.