Synthesis of ArCF2X and [18F]Ar-CF3 via Cleavage of the Trifluoromethylsulfonyl Group

A versatile synthesis of ArCF2X and [18F]Ar-CF3 type compounds from readily available ArCF2SO2CF3 has been developed. Diverse nucleophiles, including weak nucleophiles such as halides (18F-, Cl-, Br-, and I-), RSH, and ROH, could react with ArCF2SO2CF3 efficiently to give the corresponding difluoromethylene products. The control experiments and the Hammett plot indicated that the reaction might proceed through a difluorocarbocation intermediate generated from the steric hindrance-assisted cleavage of the trifluoromethylsulfonyl group.