Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Vinylsiloxanes

Trifluoromethylated alkenes are shown to be readily synthesized from the corresponding vinylsiloxanes using a simple copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation with Umemoto’s reagent II. Upon simple activation with tetrabutylammonium triphenyldifluorosilicate in the presence of Kubas’ salt and without an additional exogenous ligand, they were indeed found to be easily trifluoromethylated with high levels of stereospecificity. In addition to a broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions, this route to trifluoromethylated alkenes enables the synthesis of all E, Z, and branched isomers.