Catalytic Access to Functionalized Allylic <i>gem</i>‐Difluorides via Fluorinative Meyer–Schuster‐Like Rearrangement

Abstract

Abstract An unprecedented approach for efficient synthesis of functionalized allylic gem‐difluorides via catalytic fluorinative Meyer–Schuster‐like rearrangement is disclosed. This transformation proceeded with readily accessible propargylic fluorides, and low‐cost B–F reagents and electrophilic reagents by sulfide catalysis. A series of iodinated, brominated, and trifluoromethylthiolated allylic gem‐difluorides that were difficult to access by other methods were facilely produced with a wide range of functional groups. Importantly, the obtained iodinated products could be incorporated into different drugs and natural products, and could be expediently converted into many other valuable gem‐difluoroalkyl molecules as well. Mechanistic studies revealed that this reaction went through a regioselective fluorination of alkynes followed by a formal 1,3‐fluorine migration under the assistance of the B–F reagents to give the desired products.