Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Ethyl Bromodifluoroacetate with Aryl Bromides or Triflates and Cross-Coupling of Ethyl Bromofluoroacetate with Aryl Iodides

A palladium-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction of ethyl bromodifluoroacetate with aryl bromides or aryl triflates to construct C(sp2)–CF2 bonds is described. The reaction was conducted under mild reaction conditions, and no preparation of organozinc reagents is required. This is the first report encompassing the conversion of aryl triflates into products containing C–CF2 bonds. In addition, the construction of C(sp2)–CHF bonds was achieved under mild conditions via a cross-coupling of aryl iodides with ethyl bromofluoroacetate.