Synthesis of Hexafluoroisopropanol-Functionalized Indoles and Anilines from the Copper-Mediated Coupling of a Hexafluoroacetone Hydrate-Bipyridine Adduct.

A new reagent, a hexafluoroacetone hydrate-bipyridine adduct, is anhydrous, is air-stable, and can be used in a stoichiometric quantity for the synthesis of molecules displaying a hexafluoroisopropanol group. This reagent is prepared in one step without the need for purification and is soluble in many organic solvents. This reagent transforms indoles and anilines into their corresponding derivatives with a hexafluoroisopropanol group without requiring vast excesses of hexafluoroisopropanol or hexafluoroacetone hydrate as a solvent.