Detrifluoroacetylation Reaction of Trifluoromethyl‐β‐diketones: Facile Method for the Synthesis of Succinimide Derivatives and 1,4‐Diketones

Currently, a great deal of research efforts are focused on C–C bond activation for development of novel synthetic methodology. In this paper, a detrifluoroacetylation of trifluoromethyl‐β‐diketones is described, which allows for the synthesis of succinimides and 1,4‐diketones through cascade Michael addition/retro‐Claisen reaction and nucleophilic substitution/retro‐Claisen reaction. The readily available trifluoromethyl‐β‐diketones, wide substrate scope, and mild conditions make this method very practical.