Trifluoromethyl Thianthrenium Triflate: A Readily Available Trifluoromethylating Reagent with Formal CF₃⁺, CF₃^•, and CF₃^– Reactivity

Abstract

Here we report the synthesis and application of trifluoromethyl thianthrenium triflate (TT-CF₃⁺OTf^-) as a novel trifluoromethylating reagent, which is conveniently accessible in a single step from thianthrene and triflic anhydride. We demonstrate the use of TT-CF₃⁺OTf^- in electrophilic, radical, and nucleophilic trifluoromethylation reactions.