1.11 Synthesis of N-Trifluoromethyl (N-CF3) Compounds

Abstract The presence of fluorine in compounds is attracting more and more attention due to the remark-able properties conferred by this element. Due to its specific characteristics, the fluorine atom strongly influences the physicochemical properties of molecules, such as the modulation of the acidity or basicity of neighbouring functions (pKa), lipophilicity, conformational constraints, and metabolic stability. The N-trifluoromethyl motif has recently been a feature in a wide range of reported compounds, and significant advances in methods for constructing and installing this group have appeared in the literature. This review outlines and highlights the main transformations involved in the incorporation of an N-trifluoromethyl unit into functionalized molecules.