COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESSES OF PREPARING AND USING THE SAME

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/466,147, filed on Mar. 22, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/467,778, filed on Mar. 25, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The invention relates to compositions and processes of preparing and using the same for the modification of chemical compounds via the release of trifluoroacetate. The compositions of the invention are useful for the preparation of important building blocks in drug development.

The incorporation of fluorine into fine chemicals has had a significant impact in the chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. For example, difluoromethyl groups may serve as bioisosteric replacements and surrogates for oxygen in compounds, providing greater stability (Blackburn, et al. J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1981, 930) and as useful blocking groups (Fukuda, et al. Tetrahedron 1996, 52, 157). Drug candidates that contain trifluoromethyl groups, compared to non-fluorinated counterparts, often display better biological activities, including increased lipophilicity, bioavailability, binding affinity, metabolic stability, and membrane permeability (Ojima, et al. Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology, John Wiley & Sons).

Preparations of varieties of chemical compounds that contain fluoro groups are challenging. For example, Olah and Prakash discovered a synthon for adding difluorinated methyl groups (Prakash, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2003, 42, 5216). A synthon-based approach, however, limits the scope of the starting materials and efficiency of a synthetic plan. Methods of the introduction of trifluoromethyl groups involve expensive or toxic reagents (Ichikawa, et al. Chem. Lett. 1981, 12, 1679-1680; (Boechat, et al. Current org. Syn. 2010, 403-413) or gaseous fluoroform (Folleas, et al. Tetrahedron, 2000, 56, 275-283). There is an ongoing need for synthetic methods for preparation of fluoro groups-containing compounds that can be compatible with a large scope of substrates and under mild reaction conditions.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising a base and a compound of Formula (I)

wherein

• • R¹is H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl;
  • R²is H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl; and
  • R³is H, halo, C_2-8alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, (CO)R⁶, (CO)OR⁶, (CO)SR⁶, (CO)NR⁶R⁷, (SO₂)R⁶, (PO)R⁶R⁷, or C(NR⁶)R⁷, wherein R⁶and R⁷are independently selected from H, C_1-8alkyl, O—C_1-5alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, aryl-C_1-5alkyl, heteroaryl-C_1-5alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, and substituted heteroaryl;
  • or R²and R³, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a 4-7 membered cycloalkyl group or cyclo(hetero)alkyl group.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a salt comprising hexafluoroacetone hydrate and DBU. In some embodiments, the salt is anhydrous.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an anhydrous salt comprising hexafluoroacetone hydrate and DBU.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the modification of a chemical compound via the release of trifluoroacetate, the process comprising the step of (a) reacting the chemical compound with a composition comprising a base and a compound of Formula (I)

• • wherein:
  • R¹is H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl;
  • R²is H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl; and
  • R³is H, halo, C_2-8alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteoaryl, (CO)R⁶, (CO)OR⁶, (CO)SR⁶, (CO)NR⁶R⁷, (SO₂)R⁶, (PO)R⁶R⁷, or C(NR⁶)R⁷, wherein R⁶and R⁷are independently selected from H, C_1-8alkyl, O—C_1-5alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, aryl-C_1-5alkyl, and heteroaryl-C_1-5alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and substituted heteoaryl;
  • or R²and R³, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a 4-7 membered cycloalkyl group or cyclo(hetero)alkyl group.

In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate is released during the reaction. In other embodiments, the composition releases trifluoroacetate during the reaction.

In some embodiments, the composition is prepared by the process comprising the step of reacting the base with the compound of Formula (I) in a solvent to form the composition. In other embodiments, the composition is DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt.

In some embodiments, the process comprises the step of adding the base to a solution comprising the chemical compound and the compound of Formula (I).

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

The present invention provides compositions that can be useful for the modification of chemical compounds via the release of trifluoroacetate.

In some embodiments, the compositions include a base and a compound of Formula (I)

in which

• • R¹can be H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl;
  • R²can be H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl; and
  • R³can be H, halo, C_2-8alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteoaryl, (CO)R⁶, (CO)OR⁶, (CO)SR⁶, (CO)NR⁶R⁷, (SO₂)R⁶, (PO)R⁶R⁷, or C(NR⁶)R⁷, in which R⁶and R⁷are independently selected from H, C_1-8alkyl, O—C_1-5alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, aryl-C_1-5alkyl, and heteroaryl-C_1-5alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, and substituted heteoaryl;
  • or R²and R³, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, can form a 4-7 membered cycloalkyl group or cyclo(hetero)alkyl group.

In some embodiments, the term “compound” is meant to include all stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, and isotopes of the structures depicted.

In some embodiments, R¹can be H. In other embodiments, R¹can be halo, for example, fluoro, or chloro, or bromo. In certain embodiments, R¹can be fluoro.

In some embodiments, R²can be H. In some embodiments, R²can be halo, for example, fluoro, or chloro, or bromo. In certain embodiments, R²can be fluoro. In some embodiments, R²can be C_1-8alkyl, for example, CH₃or CH₂CH₃.

In some embodiments, R³can be H. In some embodiments, R³can be halo, for example, fluoro, or chloro, or bromo. In other embodiments, R³can be fluoro. In some embodiments, R³can be C_2-8alkenyl, for example, CH₂═CH₂or CH₂═CHCH₃. In some embodiments, R³can be aryl. In other embodiments, R³can be C_6-10aryl, for example, phenyl or naphthalyl. In some embodiments, R³can be phenyl. In other embodiments, R³is substituted phenyl. In some embodiments, R³can be heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R³can be heteroaryl having 5-10 ring atoms, for example, imidazole, or pyridine, or indole. In some embodiments, R³can be substituted heteroaryl having 5-10 ring atoms.

In some embodiments, R³can be (CO)R⁶, for example, (CO)CH₃or (CO)C₂H₅. In some embodiments, R³can be (CO)-phenyl.

In some embodiments, both R¹and R²can be halo. In some embodiments, both R¹and R²can be fluoro. In other embodiments, all of R¹, R², and R³can be halo. In some embodiments, all of R¹, R², and R³can be fluoro.

In some embodiments, the base can be an organic base. Suitable organic bases may include alkoxides (e.g., sodium ethoxide), linear aliphatic amines, and cyclic amines. In some embodiments, the organic base can be an amine compound. In some embodiments, the amine compound is a primary amine, for example, benzylamine. In other embodiments, the amine compound is a tertiary amine. In some embodiments, the tertiary amine compound can be TEA (triethylamin) or DIPEA (N,N-Diisopropylethylamine). In some embodiments, the base can be TEA. In other embodiments, the base can be DIPEA. In some embodiments, the base can be DBU (1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), or DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), or DBN (1,5-Diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene). In other embodiments, the base can be DMAP (4-Dimethylaminopyridine), morpholine, or (−)-sparteine. In certain embodiments, the base can be DBU. In other embodiments, the base can be inorganic bases. In some embodiments, the inorganic bases can be KOH, NaOH, or NH₄OH, and the like.

In some embodiments, the composition may be anhydrous. In some embodiments, the composition can be a salt. In certain embodiments, the composition can be an anhydrous salt.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention can be prepared by the process comprising the step of reacting a base and a compound of Formula (I) in a solvent. In some embodiments, the base may be added to a solution of the compound of Formula (I). In other embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) can be added to a solution of the base, or any other methods known in the art. The solvent can be any solvents known in the art. Examples of suitable inert solvents include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, for example, hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, toluene, or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons, example, 1,2-dichloroethane, trifluoromethylbenzene, chloroform, or dichloromethane; alcohols, example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, or tert-butanol; ethers, example, diethyl ether (Et₂O), diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dioxanee; glycol ethers, example, ethylene glycol monomethyl, or monoethyl ether, or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones, example, acetone or butanone; amides, example, acetamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), or dimethylformamide (DMF); nitrites, example, acetonitrile; sulfoxides, example, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); nitro compounds, example, nitromethane, or nitrobenzene; esters, example, ethyl acetate, or mixtures of the said solvents. In some embodiments, the solvent can be THF, Et₂O, dioxane, or benzne. In some embodiments, the solvent can be THF. In other embodiments, the solvent can be dioxane. In some embodiments, the solvent can be Et₂O. In some embodiments, the solvent can be a mixture of THF and Et₂O, or a mixture of dioxane and Et₂O, or a mixture of DMF and THF, or a mixture of DMF and toluene.

In some embodiments, the composition of the present invention can be prepared at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 60° C. In some embodiments, the composition can be prepared at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C. In other embodiments, the composition can be prepared at a temperature of from about −10° C. to about 50° C. In certain embodiments, the composition can be prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 40° C. In other embodiments, the composition can be prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 25° C. In certain embodiments, the composition can be prepared at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 30° C. In certain embodiments, the composition can be prepared at room temperature.

The composition of the invention may be a solid. The solid form of the composition may be isolated and purified, for example, by filtration and washing, or by recrystallization. The collected composition can be further dried. The drying can be air drying, oven or vacuum drying. In other embodiments, the composition may be a liquid, which may be isolated by precipitation via adding an inert solvent to the formed composition.

The composition may release trifluoroacetate upon reacting with chemical compounds. In some embodiments, the release of trifluoroacetate is accompanied by the introduction of a trifluoromethyl group to the chemical compounds.

The present invention provides an anhydrous salt that includes hexafluoroacetone hydrate and DBU.

The present invention provides a salt that includes hexafluoroacetone hydrate and an organic base. In some embodiments, the organic base is an amine compound. In certain embodiments, the base is DBU. In other embodiments, the salt is anhydrous.

The present invention provides anhydrous salts that include hexafluoroacetone hydrate and a base. In some embodiments, the base can be an organic base. In other embodiments, the base can be DBU. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides anhydrous salts that include hexafluoroacetone hydrate and DBU. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may include a 1:1 molar ratio of DBU to hexafluoroacetone hydrate.

Hexafluoroacetone trihydrate and DBU (1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) are commercially available. For example, hexafluoroacetone trihydrate can be purchased from SynQuest Labs, and DBU can be purchased from Aldrich.

The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared by any methods known in the art for the generation of a salt, for example, by reacting DBU and Hexafluoroacetone hydrate in a solvent. In some embodiments, DBU can be added to a solution of Hexafluoroacetone hydrate. In other embodiments, Hexafluoroacetone hydrate can be added to a solution of DBU. The solvent can be any organic solvents known in the art. Examples of suitable organic solvents include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, for example, hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, toluene, or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example, 1,2-dichloroethane, trifluoromethylbenzene, chloroform, or dichloromethane; alcohols, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, or tert-butanol; ethers, for example, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dioxanee; glycol ethers, for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones, for example, acetone, or butanone; amides, for example, acetamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), or dimethylformamide (DMF); nitrites, for example, acetonitrile; sulfoxides, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); nitro compounds, for example, nitromethane, or nitrobenzene; esters, for example, ethyl acetate, or mixtures of the said solvents.

In some embodiments, the solvent can be THF, Et₂O, dioxane, or benzne. In some embodiments, the solvent can be THF. In other embodiments, the solvent can be dioxane. In some embodiments, the solvent can be Et₂O. In some embodiments, the solvent can be a mixture of THF and Et₂O, or a mixture of dioxane and Et₂O, or a mixture of DMF and THF, or a mixture of DMF and toluene. In other embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared by mixing DBU and Hexafluoroacetone hydrate in a first solvent, followed by addition of a second solvent in order to precipitate the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt from the first solvent.

In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 60° C. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a to temperature of from about −10° C. to about 50° C. In other embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 40° C. In certain embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 40° C. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 30° C. In other embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 25° C. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 15° C. to about 25° C. In other embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 25° C. In certain embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 30° C. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 30° C. In certain embodiments, the DBU/hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be prepared at room temperature.

The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt, in some embodiments, is a white solid. It can be referred to a solid form of trifluoromethyl anion (fluoroform). Thus, it can be easily accessible or handled in the application of the salt. The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be fully soluble in many organic solvents, for example, DMSO, DMF, CH₃CN, EtOAc, CH₂Cl₂, and CHCl₃. The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be partly soluble in toluene and THF.

The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may release trifluoroacetate upon reacting with chemical compounds. In some embodiments, the release of trifluoroacetate is accompanied by the introduction of a trifluoromethyl group to the chemical compounds.

The present invention provides a process of using a composition of the present invention for the modification of a chemical compound via the release of trifluoroacetate, the process including the steps of (a) reacting the chemical compound with a composition comprising a base and a compound of Formula (I)

in which

R¹can be H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl;

R²can be H, halo, or C_1-8alkyl; and

R³can be H, halo, C_2-8alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, (CO)R⁶, (CO)OR⁶, (CO)SR⁶, (CO)NR⁶R⁷, (SO₂)R⁶, (PO)R⁶R⁷, or C(NR⁶)R⁷, in which R⁶and R⁷can be independently selected from H, C_1-8alkyl, O—C_1-5alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, aryl-C_1-5alkyl, heteroaryl-C_1-5alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, and substituted heteroaryl;

or R²and R³, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, can form a 4-7 membered cycloalkyl group or cyclo(hetero)alkyl group.

In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate can be released during the reaction. In other embodiments, the composition may release trifluoroacetate.

In some embodiments, the composition can be prepared by the process including the step of reacting the base with a compound of Formula (I) in a solvent to form the composition. In other embodiments, the composition can be a salt of the base and the compound of Formula (I). In some embodiments, the base can be an organic base. In certain embodiments, the base can be DBU. In other embodiments, the solvent can be diethyl ether. In some embodiments, the composition can be the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt.

In some embodiments, the term “reacting” is meant to refer to the bringing together of the indicated reagents in such a way as to allow their molecular interaction and chemical transformation according to the thermodynamics and kinetics of the chemical system. In other embodiments, reacting can be facilitated, particularly for solid reagents, by using an appropriate solvent or mixture of solvents in which at least one of the reagents is at least partially soluble. Reacting is typically carried out for a suitable time and under conditions suitable to bring about the desired chemical transformation.

In some embodiments, the base can be an organic base. In other embodiments, the base can be DBU and the compound of Formula (I) can be hexafluoroacetone hydrate.

In some embodiments, the chemical compound can be an aldehyde or a ketone. In some embodiments, the chemical compound can be alkyl aldehyde. In other embodiments, the chemical compound can be an aryl aldehyde. In some embodiments, the chemical compound can be a heteroaryl aldehyde. In other embodiments, the chemical compound can be dialkylketone. In other embodiments, the chemical compound can be diarylketone. In certain embodiments, the chemical compound can be aryl alkylketone. In some embodiments, the chemical compounds can be diheteroarylketone. In certain embodiments, the chemical compound can be heteroaryl alkylketone.

In some embodiments, the chemical compounds may undergo a trifluoromethylation reaction.

In some embodiments, the process can comprise the step of adding the base to a solution comprising the chemical compound to be modified and the compound of Formula (I). In some embodiments, the chemical compound can be an aldehyde, for example, an aryl aldehyde. In other embodiments, the chemical compound can be an alkyl aldehyde.

In some embodiments, the base can be organic bases. Suitable organic bases may include alkoxides (e.g., sodium ethoxide), linear aliphatic amines, and cyclic amines. In some embodiments, the organic base can be an amine compound. In some embodiments, the amine compound is a primary amine. In other embodiments, the amine compound is a tertiary amine. In some embodiments, the tertiary amine compound can be triethylamine (TEA). In other embodiments, the base can be inorganic bases, for example, KOH, NaOH, or NH₄OH, and the like.

In some embodiments, the base can be triethylamine. In other embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) can be a compound of Formula (III)

in which

• • R⁴can be R⁶, OR⁶, SR⁶, or NR⁶R⁷, in which R⁶and R⁷can be independently selected from H, C_1-8alkyl, O—C_1-5alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, aryl-C_1-5alkyl, and heteroaryl-C_1-5alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, and substituted heteroaryl.

In some embodiment, the solution may include a salt, for example, a metal halide. In some embodiments, the metal halide is LiBr.

In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be used to modify chemical compounds for introduction of a desired functional group via the release of trifluoroacetate. For example, the salt can be used for the trifluoromethylation of chemical compounds, thus, introducing a trifluoromethyl group to the chemical compounds. In some embodiments, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can be used to add a trifluoromethyl group to chemical compounds, for example, carbonyl compounds, as shown in Scheme 1, wherein each of R^pand R^qcan be independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, each of which can be optionally substituted.

The chemical compounds that can be trifluoromethylated include, but are not limited to, aldehydes and ketones. In some embodiments, the aldehydes can be aryl aldehydes. In some embodiments, the aldehydes can be alkyl aldehydes. In some embodiments, the aryl aldehydes can be benzaldehyde or substituted benzaldehyde. In some embodiments, the ketones can be diarylketones, or alkylaryl ketones, or dialkylketones.

In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation of chemical compounds by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may require the presence of a base to speed up the reaction. The base can be KHMDS, or KH, or Dimsyl-K, or t-BuOK. In some embodiments, the base can be KHMDS. In other embodiments, the base can be t-BuOK. In some embodiments, the modification of chemical compounds by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may require about 1 equivalent of the base, or about 2 equivalents of the base, or about 3 equivalents of the base, or about 4 equivalents of the additional base, or about 5 equivalents of the base, or about 6 equivalents of the base. In other embodiments, the modification of chemical compounds by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may require about 4 equivalents of the base, or about 5 equivalents of the base.

In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation of chemical compounds by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may require the presence of an additive. The additive can be any one known in the art that is suitable for trifluoromethylation. The additive can be crown ether, for example. 18-crown-6. In some embodiments, the additive can be a quaternary ammonium salt, for example, Bu₄N⁺Cl⁻ or Bu₄N⁺Br⁻. The amount of the additive can be from about 1 equivalent to about 6 equivalents. In some embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 2 equivalents to about 5 equivalents. In some embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 1.5 equivalents to about 5 equivalents. In other embodiments, the amount of the additives can be from about 2 equivalents to about 3 equivalents. In certain embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 2.5 equivalents to about 3.5 equivalents. In some embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 2.5 equivalents to about 4.5 equivalents. In certain embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 3 equivalents to about 4.5 equivalents. In some embodiments, the amount of the additive can be from about 3.5 equivalents to about 4.5 equivalents. In other embodiments, the amount of the additive is the same equivalent as the amount of the base required for a trifluoromethylation reaction. In certain embodiments, trifluoromethylation by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt may not need the presence of an additive.

In a trifluoromethylation reaction, the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt can form fluoroform upon heating to 50° C. for four hours or upon the addition of a base. This transformation may be quantitative and can be observed by¹⁹F NMR as both the signals for trifluoroacetate and fluoroform can be seen. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction may require about 1 equivalent of the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation may require about 2 equivalents of the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction may require about 1.5 equivalents of the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction may require about 1.25 equivalents of the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethyaltion reaction may require about 1.75 equivalents of the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt.

In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction by the DBU/Hexafluoroacetone to hydrate salt via the release of trifluoroacetate can be achieved at a temperature of from about −78° C. to about 0° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −78° C. to about −30° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −50° C. to about −30° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 0° C. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −25° C. to about 0° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −25° C. to about −10° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about −10° C. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −15° C. to about 0° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −10° C. to about 0° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 60° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 5° C. to about 50° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 5° C. to about 40° C. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 40° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 30° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 30° C. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 25° C. In some embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 30° C. In other embodiments, the trifluoromethyaltion reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 25° C. In certain embodiments, the trifluoromethylation reaction can be conducted at a temperature of from about −30° C. to room temperature.

In some embodiments, chemical compounds can undergo an olefination reaction via the release of trifluoroacetate. In certain embodiments, chemical compounds may undergo a trifluoroacetylative olefination reaction as shown in Scheme 2, wherein each of R^mand Rⁿcan be independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, each of which can be optionally substituted.

In some embodiments, the olefination reaction may be an α-methylenation reaction.

The chemical compounds that can undergo an α-methylenation reaction via the release of trifluoroacetate may contain a moiety of 4,4,4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-butanedione. Some 4,4,4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-butanedione-containing compounds are commercially available. Others can be prepared by Danheiser's protocol for an efficient trifluoroacetylation with LiHMDS and CF₃CO₂CH₂CF₃(Danheiser, et al. J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 1959-1964).

4,4,4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-butanedione-containing compounds may be converted to the respective olefins in excellent yields. Suitable bases for the conversion can be any organic bases and inorganic bases known in the art. In some embodiments, the base can be an inorganic base, for example, K₂CO₃or Na₂CO₃. In certain embodiments, the base can be K₂CO₃. In other embodiments, the base can be an organic base, for example, TEA or DIPEA (N,N-Diisopropylethylamine). In some embodiments, inorganic bases, for example, K₂CO₃, may be easily removed by aqueous workup.

Suitable solvent for the methylenation can be any organic solvents known in the art. In some embodiments, the solvent can be benzene, toluene, or xylene. In some embodiments, the methylenation reaction may be achieved at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 100° C. In some embodiments, the temperature can be from about 25° C. to about 100° C. In other embodiments, the temperature can be from about 25° C. to about 80° C. In some embodiments, the temperature can be from about 50° C. to about 80° C. In certain embodiments, the temperature can be from about 50° C. to about 70° C. In other embodiments, the temperature can be from about 50° C. to about 60° C.

The olefination strategy through trifluoroacetate release can be applied to an array of ketones, lactams, and lactones. For chemical compounds that do not contain a 4,4,4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-butanedione moiety, the compounds may undergo a two-step detrifluoroacetylative olefination as shown in Scheme 3, wherein R^mand Rⁿcan be independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, each of which can be optionally substituted.

The chemical compounds may undergo an efficient trifluoroacetylation with LiHMDS and CF₃CO₂CH₂CF₃to afford trifluoroacetylated intermediates. The unpurified trifluoroacetylated intermediates may be immediately subjected to olefination by trifluoroacetate release to give corresponding enones. For chemical compounds having steric bulk at the positions neighboring the α-carbon, the formation of olefin products is significant in the synthetic chemistry. The olefination reactions thus demonstrate a mild reaction conditions through trifluoroacetate release. Further, the olefination reaction avoids the use of toxic selenium reagents, which are a common choice for synthesizing vinyl ketones. For highly reactive ketones, the use of harsh oxidants such as chromium also can be avoided.

The olefination reaction via trifluoroacetate release of the present invention can be applied to the synthesis of complex natural products, as shown in Examples 37 and 39-41.

In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate release strategy can be applied to the cleavage of a C—C bond, thus generating α,α-difluoroenolates for aldol reactions as shown in Scheme 4, wherein variable R⁴can be independently defined anywhere herein.

The starting materials, gem-diols, can be easily prepared under neutral conditions using Selectfluor and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-dione containing compounds. Some 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-diones are commercially available, and others are readily accessed by trifluoromethylation of methyl ketones. In some embodiments, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-diones can exist exclusively in the enol form.

In some embodiments, trifluoroacetate release can be promoted rapidly in the presence of a base. In some embodiments, the bases can be an organic base or an inorganic base as described herein. In some embodiments, the base can be an organic base. In some embodiments, the organic base can be an amine, for example, a tertiary amine compound. The tertiary amine compound can be triethylamine or DIPEA. In some embodiments, the base is triethylamine. In other embodiments, the trifluoroaceate release may require the presence of a salt. In some embodiments, the salt can be metal halides, for example, Lithium halides. In other embodiments, the salt can be lithium bromide.

In some embodiments, the solvent suitable for successful release of trifluoroacetate can be any organic solvents known in the art. Examples of suitable organic solvents include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbons, for example, hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, toluene, or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example, 1,2-dichloroethane, trifluoromethylbenzene, chloroform, or dichloromethane; alcohols, for example, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, or tert-butanol; ethers, for example, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), or dioxanee; glycol ethers, for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones, for example, acetone, or butanone; amides, for example, acetamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), or dimethylformamide (DMF); nitrites, for example, acetonitrile; sulfoxiddes, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); nitro compounds, for example, nitromethane, or nitrobenzene; esters, for example, ethyl acetate, or mixtures of the said solvents.

The difluoroenolate may react with electrophiles, for example, an aldehyde or a ketone. The aldehyde or ketone can be any aldehydes or ketones known in the art. The aldehyde can be an alkyl aldehyde or an aryl aldehyde. In some embodiments, the aldehyde can be α,β-unsaturated aldehyde.

In some embodiments, the difluoroenolate can react with electrophiles to undergo an to aldol reaction. In some embodiments, the reaction may be completed at a temperature of from about −78° C. to about 25° C. In some embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −50° C. to about 25° C. In other embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about 25° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −10° C. to about 25° C. In some embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −78° C. to about −50° C. In other embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −50° C. to about −30° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about −30° C. to about −10° C. In some embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 100° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 80° C. In other embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 60° C. In other embodiments, the reaction can be completed at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 40° C.

In some embodiments, the reaction condition can be very mild. In some embodiments, the reaction may take about 3 minutes to about 30 minutes. In some embodiments, the reaction may take about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes. In other embodiments, the reaction may take about 3 minutes to about 10 minutes.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for synthesis of fluoro-containing compounds that are useful for the preparation of molecules that have utility as probes in drug metabolism studies, for example,¹⁹F-NMR based drug metabolism studies.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a trifluoroacetate-release strategy that can be adapted to generate α,α-difluoroenolates. In some embodiments, this strategy comprises replacing one fluorine atom on hexafluoroacetone hydrate with a group that stabilizes an anion, such as a carbonyl group as an enolate. In other embodiments, this replacement of one fluorine atom on hexafluoroacetone hydrate with a carbonyl group stabilizes the anion as an enolate.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of employing a trifluoroacetate-release strategy to generate reactive intermediates, for example, α,α-difluoroenolates. In other embodiments, this strategy can prepare α,α-difluoroenolates using reaction conditions that may be exceedingly mild.

In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate-release strategy may be readily adapted to generate enolates other than α,α-difluoroenolates. For example, the enolates other than α,α-difluoroenolates may be α-mono-haloenolates, such as α-bromoenolates, and the like.

The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a process for preparing halo-containing compounds, for example, fluorine-containing compounds. In some embodiments, the process can utilize the release of trifluoroacetate as a mild and efficient way for preparation of reactive intermediates that are very difficult to prepare using existing methods. In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate release process can be useful for versatile generation of difluoroenolates.

In some embodiments, the trifluoroacetate release process can be applicable in various chemical processes, for example, chemical processes that comprise aldol and imino-aldol reactions. In other embodiments, the trifluoroacetate release process can be applied in imino-aldol reactions to provide products comprising difluorinated beta-amino acids that may be important building blocks for the preparation of biopolymers for drug discovery.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparation of fluoro-containing compounds. In some embodiments, the process can be useful as building blocks that have utility in drug discovery. In other embodiments, the process can be useful for the preparation of medicinally important molecules with increased bioavailability. Illustrative of the increased bioavailability is enhanced metabolic stability, increased lipophilicity, enhanced membrane permeability, and increased binding affinity. In other embodiments, the process can be useful for the preparation of molecules that have utility as probes in drug metabolism studies. Illustrative of the drug metabolism studies are¹⁹F-NMR based drug metabolism studies.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing a fluoro-containing compound, the process comprising the step of preparing an intermediate via the release of trifluoroacetate. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding a base. In certain embodiments, the base can be a tertiary amine, for example, triethylamine. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding a salt. The salt can be a metal halide, for example, LiBr.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing a fluoro-containing compound, the process comprising the step of preparing an intermediate via the release of trifluoroacetate, in which the intermediate can be a difluoroenolate. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of trifluoroacetylation of a corresponding methyl ketone. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of fluorinating an acyl trifluoroacetone with a fluorinating agent. For example, the fluorinating agent can be an N-fluoro tertiary amine, and the like.

In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of performing an aldol reaction. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of performing an imino-aldol reaction, and similar reactions.

In some embodiments, the fluoro-containing compound can be a difluoro beta-amino acid. For example, the fluoro-containing compound can be a fluorinated biopolymer, or a difluoro analog of an ether, or a difluoro analog of a phosphate, phosphonate, or phosphinate, or a difluoro analog of a drug. In some embodiments, the difluoro group can replace a metabolically active methylene group.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing a fluoroketone, the process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting the corresponding ketone with a trifluoroacetylating agent; (b) reacting the trifluoroacetylated ketone with a fluorinating agent; and (c) reacting the fluorinated trifluoroacetylated ketone with a base.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing an alpha-unsaturated fluoro compound, the process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting the corresponding alpha-unsaturated compound with a trifluoroacetylating agent; (b) reacting the trifluoroacetylated compound with a fluorinating agent; and (c) reacting the fluorinated trifluoroacetylated compound with a base. In other embodiments, the corresponding alpha-unsaturated compound can be a ketone, or an ester, or a thioester, or a dithioester, or an amide, or an oxime, or a hydrazone, or a sulfoxide, or a sulfone, or a phosphate, or a phosphonate, or a phosphinate, or an alkene, or an arene, or a heteroarene, all of which are optionally substituted, and the like.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing a halo-containing compound, the process comprising the step of preparing an intermediate via the release of trifluoroacetate. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding a base. In some embodiments, the base can be a tertiary amine. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding a salt. In some embodiments, the salt can be a metal halide. In some embodiments, the intermediate can be a haloenolate. In some embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of trifluoroacetylation of the corresponding methyl ketone. In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of fluorinating an acyl trifluoroacetone with a fluorinating agent. For example, the fluorinating agent can be an N-fluoro tertiary amine.

In other embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of brominating an acyl trifluoroacetone with a brominating agent. In some embodiments, the brominating agent is a Br⁺ donor.

In some embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of performing an aldol reaction. In certain embodiments, the aldol reaction can be an imino-aldol reaction.

In other embodiments, the halo-containing compound can be a difluoro beta-amino acid. In other embodiments, the halo-containing compound can be a fluorinated biopolymer. In other embodiments, w the halo-containing compound can be a difluoro analog of an ether. In other embodiments, the halo-containing compound can be a difluoro analog of a phosphate, phosphonate, or phosphinate. In other embodiments, the halo-containing compound can be a difluoro analog of a drug, where the difluoro group may replace a metabolically active methylene group.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing a haloketone, the process comprising the steps of (a) reacting the corresponding ketone with a trifluoroacetylating agent; (b) reacting the trifluoroacetylated ketone with a halogenating agent; and (c) reacting the halogenated trifluoroacetylated ketone with a base.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing an alpha unsaturated halo compound, the process comprising the steps of (a) reacting the corresponding alpha unsaturated compound with a trifluoroacetylating agent; (b) reacting the trifluoroacetylated compound with a halogenating agent; and (c) reacting the halogenated trifluoroacetylated compound with a base.

In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a ketone. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be an ester. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a thioester. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a dithioester. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be an amide. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be an oxime. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a hydrazone. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a sulfoxide or a sulfone. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be a phosphate, phosphonate, or phosphinate. In some embodiments, the alpha unsaturated compound can be an optionally substituted alkene, arene, or heteroarene.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a process for adding a functional group alpha to a ketone, the process comprising the steps of (a) reacting the corresponding ketone with a trifluoroacetylating agent; and (b) reacting the trifluoroacetylated ketone with an electrophilic precursor of the functional group.

In some embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding an additional functional group to the ketone, the step comprising adding a base and an electrophilic precursor of the additional functional group.

In some embodiments, the functional group can be halo. In other embodiments, the functional group can be fluoro or bromo. In some embodiments, the additional functional group can be an optionally substituted carbon. In certain embodiments, the additional functional group can be an alcohol. In some embodiments, the functional group and the additional functional group can be taken together to form an epoxide.

In some embodiments, the base can be a tertiary amine.

In some embodiments, the process further can comprise the step of adding a salt. In certain embodiments, the salt can be a metal halide.

In some embodiments, the electrophilic precursor of the functional group can be an N-fluoro tertiary amine. In some embodiments, the electrophilic precursor of the functional group can be a brominating agent. In some embodiments, the electrophilic precursor of the additional functional group can be an aldehyde. In some embodiments, the electrophilic precursor of the additional functional group can be an imine.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a process for preparing an enolate, the process comprising the step of reacting a compound of the formula

with a base; in which R can be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, each of which can be optionally substituted; and each X can be independently hydrogen or halo, or alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, each of which can be optionally substituted; providing that both X cannot be hydrogen. In some embodiments, the base can be a tertiary amine.

It is further appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

In some embodiments, the term “alkyl” is meant to refer to a saturated hydrocarbon group which is straight-chained or branched. Example alkyl groups include methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), propyl (e.g., n-propyl and isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl), pentyl (e.g., n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl), and the like. An alkyl group can contain from 1 to about 20, from 2 to about 20, from 1 to about 10, from 1 to about 8, from 1 to about 6, from 1 to about 4, or from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the term “alkenyl” refers to an alkyl group having one or more double carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, and the like.

In some embodiments, the term “alkynyl” refers to an alkyl group having one or more triple carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, and the like.

In some embodiments, the term “aryl” refers to monocyclic or polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused rings) aromatic hydrocarbons, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, and the like. In some embodiments, an aryl group has from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the term “cycloalkyl” refers to non-aromatic carbocycles including cyclized alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups. Cycloalkyl groups can include mono- or polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused rings) ring systems, including spirocycles. In some embodiments, cycloalkyl groups can have from 3 to about 20 carbon atoms, 3 to about 14 carbon atoms, 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, or 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Cycloalkyl groups can further have 0, 1, 2, or 3 double bonds and/or 0, 1, or 2 triple bonds. Also included in the definition of cycloalkyl to are moieties that have one or more aromatic rings fused (i.e., having a bond in common with) to the cycloalkyl ring, for example, benzo derivatives of cyclopentane, cyclopentene, cyclohexane, and the like. In some embodiments, a cycloalkyl group having one or more fused aromatic rings can be attached through either the aromatic or non-aromatic portion. One or more ring-forming carbon atoms of a cycloalkyl group can be oxidized, for example, having an oxo or sulfido substituent. Example cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptatrienyl, norbornyl, norpinyl, norcarnyl, adamantyl, and the like.

In some embodiments, a “heteroaryl” group refers to an aromatic heterocycle having at least one heteroatom ring member such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen. Heteroaryl groups include monocyclic and polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused rings) systems. Any ring-forming N atom in a heteroaryl group can also be oxidized to form an N-oxo moiety. Examples of heteroaryl groups include without limitation, pyridyl, N-oxopyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, furyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, pyrryl, oxazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzothienyl, purinyl, carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolinyl, and the like. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and in further embodiments from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group contains 3 to about 14, 3 to about 7, or 5 to 6 ring-forming atoms. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group has 1 to about 4, 1 to about 3, or 1 to 2 heteroatoms.

In some embodiments, “cycloheteroalkyl” refers to a non-aromatic heterocycle where one or more of the ring-forming atoms is a heteroatom such as an O, N, or S atom. Cycloheteroalkyl groups can include mono- or polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused rings) ring systems as well as spirocycles. Example cycloheteroalkyl groups include morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperazinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuryl, 1,3-benzodioxole, benzo-1,4-dioxane, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, and the like. Also included in the definition of cycloheteroalkyl are moieties that have one or more aromatic rings fused (i.e., having a bond in common with) to the nonaromatic heterocyclic ring, for example phthalimidyl, naphthalimidyl, and benzo derivatives of heterocycles. In some embodiments, a cycloheteroalkyl group having one or more fused aromatic rings can be attached though either the aromatic or non-aromatic portion. Also included in the definition of cycloheteroalkyl are moieties where one or more ring-forming atoms is substituted by 1 or 2 oxo or sulfido groups. In some embodiments, the cycloheteroalkyl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and in further embodiments from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the cycloheteroalkyl group contains 3 to about 20, 3 to about 14, 3 to about 7, or 5 to 6 ring-forming atoms. In some embodiments, the cycloheteroalkyl group has 1 to about 4, 1 to about 3, or 1 to 2 heteroatoms. In some embodiments, the cycloheteroalkyl group contains 0 to 3 double bonds. In some embodiments, the cycloheteroalkyl group contains 0 to 2 triple bonds.

In some embodiments, the term “halo” or “halogen” includes fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo.

In some embodiments, the term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl group. Example alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy (e.g., n-propoxy and isopropoxy), t-butoxy, and the like.

In some embodiments, the term “substituted” refers to the replacement of a hydrogen moiety with a non-hydrogen moiety in a molecule or group. The term “polysubstituted” means substituted with more than one substituent up to the valence of the substituted group. For example, a polysubstituted group can be substituted with 2, 3, 4, or 5 substituents. Generally when a list of possible substituents is provided, the substituents can be independently selected from that group.

In some embodiments, the term “amino” or “amine” includes the group NH₂, alkylamino, and dialkylamino, where the two alkyl groups in dialkylamino may be the same or different, i.e. alkylalkylamino. For example, amino includes methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino, methylethylamino, and the like. In addition, it is to be understood that when amino modifies or is modified by another term, such as aminoalkyl, or acylamino, the above variations of the term amino are included therein. For example, aminoalkyl includes H₂N-alkyl, methylaminoalkyl, ethylaminoalkyl, dimethylaminoalkyl, methylethylaminoalkyl, and the like. For example, acylamino includes acylmethylamino, acylethylamino, and the like.

In some embodiments, the term “optionally substituted” includes the replacement of hydrogen atoms with other functional groups on the radical that is optionally substituted. Such other functional groups For example include, but are not limited to, amino, hydroxyl, halo, thiol, alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylheteroalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylheteroalkyl, nitro, sulfonic acids and derivatives thereof, carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof, and the like. For example, any of amino, hydroxyl, thiol, alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylheteroalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylheteroalkyl, and/or sulfonic acid is optionally substituted.

In some embodiments, the terms “substituted aryl” and “substituted heteroaryl” include the replacement of hydrogen atoms with other functional groups on the aryl or heteroaryl. Such other functional groups include, but are not limited to, amino, hydroxy, halo, thio, alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylheteroalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylheteroalkyl, nitro, sulfonic acids and derivatives thereof, carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof, and the like. For example, any of amino, hydroxy, thio, alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylheteroalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylheteroalkyl, and/or sulfonic acid is optionally substituted. Illustrative substituents include, but are not limited to, a radical —(CH₂)_xZ^x, where x is an integer from 0-6 and Z^xis selected from halogen, hydroxy, alkanoyloxy, including C₁-C₆alkanoyloxy, optionally substituted aroyloxy, alkyl, including C₁-C₆alkyl, alkoxy, including C₁-C₆alkoxy, cycloalkyl, including C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy, including C₃-C₈cycloalkoxy, alkenyl, including C₂-C₆alkenyl, alkynyl, including C₂-C₆alkynyl, haloalkyl, including C₁-C₆haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, including C₁-C₆haloalkoxy, halocycloalkyl, including C₃-C₈halocycloalkyl, halocycloalkoxy, including C₃-C₈halocycloalkoxy, amino, C₁-C₆alkylamino, (C₁-C₆alkyl)(C₁-C₆alkyl)amino, alkylcarbonylamino, N—(C₁-C₆alkyl)alkylcarbonylamino, aminoalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminoalkyl, (C₁-C₆alkyl)(C₁-C₆alkyl)aminoalkyl, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, N—(C₁-C₆alkyl)alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, cyano, and nitro; or Z^xis selected from —CO₂R^aand —CONR^bR^c, where R^a, R^b, and R^care each independently selected in each occurrence from hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆alkyl, and heteroaryl-C₁-C₆alkyl.

The following examples further illustrate specific embodiments of the invention; however, the following examples should not be interpreted in any way to limit the invention.

The 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-diones 1-9 (Table 1) used as described herein were commercially available or were readily prepared by trifluoroacetylation of methyl ketones following procedures known in the art (Sloop, et al. J. Fluorine Chem. 2006, 127, 780; Danheiser, et al. J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 1959), such as is shown in the following example:

It is believed that the 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-diones 1-9 exist exclusively in the enol form (Sloop, et al. J. Fluorine Chem. 2006, 127, 780).

The requisite substrates were prepared following standard procedures known in the art (Baumann, et al. Tetrahedron 2009, 65, 6611), under neutral conditions using 2.5 equivalents of Selectfluor and the 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-diones 1-9 shown in Table 1. This transformation was markedly efficient (81-99% yields) and devoid of intermediates from partial fluorination. It was also observed that, if one equivalent of Selectfluor is used, only starting material and products with two additional fluorines are isolated. Additionally, silica chromatography was not necessary for the purification of products 10-12, 14, and 15. The crystalline compound 14 provided further structural data following X-ray analysis and the data may support the presence of the gem-diol rather than a hydrate (FIG. 1).

A solution of 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)butane-1,3-dione (1) (500 mg, 1.88 mmol) in acetonitrile (12.0 ml) was treated with Selectfluor (1.66 g, 4.70 mmol). After 24 h, the reaction was diluted with EtOAc (50.0 ml) and filtered through celite. The residue was concentrated, redissolved in CH₂Cl₂(20.0 ml), and washed with water (20.0 ml). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂(20.0 ml). Then, the organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 99% yield (256.4 mg) of 2,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3,3-dihydroxy-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)butan-1-one (10):¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.87-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.67-7.64 (m, 1H), 7.58-7.55 (m, 1H), 5.27 (br s, 2H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 191.0 (t, J_CF=28.5 Hz, 1C), 136.2, 133.8 (t, J_CF=4.9 Hz, 1C), 131.8, 130.1, 129.9, 128.6, 128.3 (t, J_CF=165.0 Hz, 1C), 127.6, 127.1, 124.2, 121.8 (q, J_CF=311.9 Hz, 1C), 111.2 (t, J_CF=267.6 Hz, 1C), 92.9 (q, J_CF=26.8 Hz, 1C);¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −80.4 (t, J=11.3 Hz, 3F), −110.7 (q, J=11.3 Hz, 3F); IR (film) ν_max3435, 1683, 1626, 1597, 1470 cm⁻¹; HRMS (ESI) m/z calcd for C₁₄H₉F₅O₃(M+Na)⁺ 343.0370, found 343.0368.

Trifluoroacetate-release was found to be promoted rapidly using Et₃N and a salt, such as LiBr. Thus, trifluoroacetate was released from substrate 10 almost instantaneously at room temperature using LiBr and Et₃N (see conditions below) to give conversion to the difluorinated compound 19 and the “self” aldol product.

Aldol reactions between α-fluorinated gem-diol substrates 10-18 and aldehydes 21-31 (Table 2) were carried out in the presence of Et₃N and LiBr in THF as solvent. Good to excellent yields (62-89%) of the aldol adduct(s) were isolated. Aryl and alkyl aldehydes seemed to be fully compatible with this process as well as α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 22 and the sensitive dienal 23. Other sensitive aldehydes also seemed to react smoothly with the α,α-difluoroenolates. It was observed that no C17 epimerization occurred for the triene 39 was isolated in 78% yield from the unsaturated starting material 13.

To a solution of 2,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3,3-dihydroxy-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)butan-1-one (10) (30.0 mg, 0.094 mmol) and lithium bromide (24.4 mg, 0.28 mmol) in THF (600 μL), p-anisaldehyde (23.0 μL, 0.19 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 min at room temperature under nitrogen. Et₃N (13.0 μL, 0.094 mmol) was added dropwise. After 3 min, the reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (2.0 mL) at the same temperature and the resultant mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2.0 mL×5). The organics were dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated under reduced pressure. SiO₂flash chromatography (8.5:1.5-9:1 hexanes/EtOAc) afforded the desired product (32) in 84% yield (27 mg).¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.62 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.90-7.86 (m, 2H), 7.66-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.56-7.55 (m, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.94-6.91 (m, 2H), 5.41-5.34 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.05 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 1H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 190.8 (t, J_CF=29.3 Hz, 1C), 160.1, 136.1, 133.3 (t, J_CF=5 Hz, 1C), 132.2, 130.2, 129.6, 129.5, 129.4, 128.5, 127.7, 127.0 (2), 126.7, 124.7, 116.0 (dd, T_CF=262.8, 254.5 Hz, 1C) 113.8 (2), 73.1 (dd, J_CF=28.3, 22.9 Hz, 1C), 55.3;¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ −103.3 (dd, J=289.9, 5.9 Hz, 1F), −114.6 (dd, J=290.2, 18.3 Hz, 1F); IR (film) ν_max3468, 2934, 1690, 1626, 1612, 1465, 1177 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₂₀H₁₆F₂O₃(M)⁺ 342.1068, found 342.1070.

Mild enolization protocols for aldol reactions have been recently reported by Coltart and co-workers (Sauer, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 13997-13999). For trifluoroacetate release, it appears that the scope may be equally impressive for the highly fluorinated substrates 10-18, because each seemed to readily participate in the process. Also, it appears that trifluoroacetate release may be quite fast, and the reactions were typically completed after 3 min at room temperature or 30 min at −78° C. Good to excellent yields (64-95%) of the aldol adduct(s) were routinely isolated. Both aryl and alkyl aldehydes, as well as the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 22 and the sensitive dienal 23, appeared to be fully compatible with this process. Other sensitive aldehydes also appear to have smoothly reacted with the α,α-difluoroenolates; it was observed that β-elimination did not occur with 25, and little α-epimerization (i.e, 5%) was observed with 31 after¹⁹F NMR analysis of the crude reaction mixture. Also, the reaction with 31 appeared to display a seemingly unique tendency of product 47 to form a hemi-acetal with additional aldehyde (this side-product was readily hydrolyzed with aqueous acid).

In case of the highly sensitive cis-myrtenol-derived substrate 17 (the trans-myrtenol derivative 18 is not susceptible to α-epimerization but provided adduct 46 to contrast with 45) (Peterson, et al. J. Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 16-20) 15% of the product mixture was the trans-isomer. Even though α-deprotonation appears to have been observed with ketone 17, the two fluorines adjacent to the ketone seem to enhance the irreversible tendency for the cis-myrtenol to convert to the trans-myrtenol. Therefore, without being bound by theory, it appears that the conditions herein were compatible with this highly sensitive substrate. This strategy appears to be quite chemoselective for aldehydes, because the keto-aldehyde 28 seems to provide only the product 43 from aldehyde addition.

Also, all of the products 32-47 have a ketone that is additionally activated by two α-fluorines, yet these aldol-adducts do not seem to out-compete the aldehydes. It is believed that further evidence of the mild reaction conditions may be available from the triene 39 that was isolated in good 78% yield from the unsaturated starting material 13. Assignment of the absolute stereochemical configuration of 47 using the traditional Mosher method (i.e., with MTPA esters) was not clear. Existing literature precedents suggest such an analysis on some fluorinated substrates may not be straightforward (Seco, et al. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 17-117; Takagi, et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 7889-7892). However, using the recent reported comparisons of Hoye and coworkers (Hoye, et al. Org. Lett. 2010, 12, 1768-1771) preparation of the MPA-derivatives of to 47 allowed assignment of the absolute configuration.

Reaction conditions were similar to the above.

The trifluoroacetylated ketone 1 was mono-brominated following a published procedure (Le, Q. T. H.; Umetani, S.; Suzuki, M.; Matsui, M., J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1997, 643-647), stirred over water, and then the crude reaction mixture was immediately treated with LiBr and Et₃N in the presence of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (see scheme below). The reaction was complete in 10 min at room temperature and the Darzens product 48 was isolated in good 65% yield (from 1) as a single diastereomer. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that high diastereoselectivity is observed during the addition of α-bromoenolates to aldehydes (Barluenga, et al. J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 5048-5052). Thus, and without being bound by theory, it is believed that the trifluoroacetate-release reaction herein is not limited to the generation of α,α-difluoroenolates and the production of α,α-difluoroketones, but presents additional synthetic opportunities with other substrates.

To probe the mechanism of the trifluoroacetate-release strategy, a series of control reactions were performed to verify that the aldol reaction is not a stepwise process in which trifluoroacetate release occurs, followed by deprotonation of the α,α-difluoroketone, and addition to the aldehyde. Indeed, the α,α-difluoroketone 19 appeared to not react with aldehyde 21 using the trifluoroacetate-release conditions (LiBr/Et₃N) or other combinations of reagents (eq 2 below).

Also, it was probed whether a retro-aldol process occurs under the reaction conditions, and the aldol adduct 32 was recovered without the presence of any products from a retro-aldol reaction with benzaldehyde (eq 3 below). Without being bound by theory, these mechanistic data may be taken as further highlighting the powerful, yet mild process of trifluoroacetate release to generate reactive intermediates.

Hexafluoroacetone hydrate can exist in two states: 1) a highly reactive, corrosive, and toxic gas and 2) a stable liquid hexafluoroacetone hydrate. The solvent hexafluoroacetone hydrate may exist as a trihydrate or a heptahydrate. Stated another way, this solvent is not free of water, and thus the major hurdle of its application is to develop a moisture-free chemical. The presence of moisture will effectively prevent the subsequent use of fluoroform, because any attempts to generate the reactive trifluoromethyl anion will fail due to extremely rapid re-protonation to fluoroform.

Organic bases were tested for the formation of a salt with hexafluoroacetone hydrate.

The presence of water was not observed from the amine salt from DBU with hexafluoroacetone hydrate by¹H NMR using either CD₃CN or CD₃NO₂as solvent. Indeed, this salt is stable and can be stored in a vial on the bench-top without any signs of decomposition across three months. Also, no additional water is absorbed and the salt is soluble in many common organic solvents, for example, THF, DMF, CH₃CN, DMSO, EtOAc, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, and toluene.

The DBU/Hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt was prepared as follows.

To a solution of hexafluoroacetone trihydrate (0.42 mL, 3.0 mmol) in Et₂O (3 mL) was added DBU (0.5 mL, 3.3 mmol). A white precipitate formed that was filtered, washed with Et₂O (3×2 mL), and dried to provide hexafluoroacetone hydrate salt as a white solid (892.4 mg) in 89% yield. Recrystallization from Et₂O/acetonitrile (slow evaporation) provided a crystalline solid suitable for X-ray structure analysis.¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃CN) δ 10.20 (bs, 2H), 3.44 (m, 2H), 3.39 (t, 6 Hz, 2H), 3.22 (t, 6 Hz, 2H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.64 (m, 4H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CD₃CN) δ 166.6, 125.0 (q, J=294.4 Hz, 1C), 96.0 (m, 2C), 54.4, 49.1, 38.7, 32.1, 29.7, 27.4, 24.9, 20.3;¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₃CN) δ −83.2.

To a solution of 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (42 mg, 0.19 mmol) in benzene (10 mL) were added K₂CO₃(82 mg, 0.59 mmol) and paraformaldehyde (200 mg, 6.59 mmol), and the mixture was heated to reflux (oil bath=90° C.). After 2 h the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (10 mL) was added, and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×10 mL). The organics were dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated under reduced pressure. SiO₂flash chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the phenyl vinyl ketone 12 as a yellow oil (24 mg) in 93% yield.

To a solution of 3-(trifluoroacetyl)camphor (45 mg, 0.19 mmol) in benzene (10 mL) were added K₂CO₃(82 mg, 0.59 mmol), 18-crown-6 (13 mg, 0.05 mmol), and paraformaldehyde (200 mg, 6.59 mmol). The suspension was heated to 80° C. for 2 h and then heated to reflux (oil bath=90° C.) for 4 h. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, saturated aqueousNH₄Cl (10 mL) was added, and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×10 mL). The organics were dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated under reduced pressure. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% Et₂O in hexanes) afforded the α-methylene camphor as a pale yellow oil (32 mg) in 95% yield.

To a 0° C. solution of LiHMDS (0.65 mL, 0.6 M in THF) was added a solution of 1-indanone (26 mg, 0.19 mmol) in THF (1.0 mL). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over 20 min, and then CF₃CO₂CH₂CF₃was added (55 μL, 0.41 mmol). After an additional 20 min at room temperature, saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (5 mL) was added, and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×5 mL). The organics were dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated under reduced pressure. Without purification, the crude mixture was immediately subjected to general procedure B. SiO₂flash chromatography (25% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the 2-methlyene-1-indanone as a yellow oil (28 mg) in 98% yield.

See representative reaction procedure A.¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, and LRMS data were identical with the reported data (Guan, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 18004-18005).

See representative reaction procedure A. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% Et2O in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a clear oil (27 mg) in 83% yield.¹H NMR and IR data were identical with the reported data (Itoh, et al. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1991, 64, 2965-2977).

See representative reaction procedure A. SiO₂flash chromatography (20% Et₂O in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a yellow oil (27 mg) in 76% yield.¹H and¹³C NMR data were identical with the reported data (Matsuno, et al. chem. Commun. 2005, 2399-2401).

See representative reaction procedure A. SiO₂flash chromatography (10% Et2O in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (26 mg) in 98% yield.¹H NMR, IR, and LRMS data were identical with the reported data (Kang, et al. Synthesis 1998, 823-825).

See representative reaction procedure B. SiO₂flash chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (20.9 mg) in 61% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.57 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (dd, J=17.0, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.42 (dd, J=17.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.06 (s, 2H), 5.87 (dd, J=10.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 188.8, 151.9, 148.3, 132.0 (2), 129.5, 125.1, 108.5, 107.9, 101.9; IR (film) ν_max2900, 1661, 1443, 1250 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₀H₈O₃(M)⁺ 176.0473, found 176.0470.

See representative reaction procedure B.¹H NMR and IR data were identical with the reported data (Tonari, et al. J. Oleo Sci. 2002, 52, 255-258).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compounds as a colorless oil (26 mg) in 92% yield.¹H NMR, IR, and HRMS data were identical with the reported data (Rodrigues, et al. Synth. Commun. 2003, 33, 331-340).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (1% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (30 mg) in 88% yield:¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.83 (dd, J=17.1, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.32 (dd, J=17.1, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.63 (dd, J=10.5, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 2.06 (m, 3H), 1.81 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 6H), 1.79-1.64 (m, 6H);¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 204.3, 130.7, 128.6, 45.6, 38.0 (3), 36.9 (3), 28.2 (3); IR (film) ν_max2905, 2851, 1687, 1017 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₃H₁₈O (M)⁺ 190.1358, found 190.1356.

See representative reaction procedure C.¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, IR, and HRMS data were identical with the reported data (Crich, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 8937-8951).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a pale yellow oil (26 mg) in 85% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.74 (tt, J=5.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.06 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.19 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.92 (t, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (m, 1H), 3.39 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 2.57-2.43 (m, 2H), 1.82 (q, J=1.8 Hz, 3H), 1.71 (s, 3H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 189.0, 145.1, 144.3, 144.0, 136.0, 120.6, 113.6, 48.6, 30.0, 20.5, 16.1; IR (film) ν_max2923, 1667, 1614, 1048 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₁H₁₄O (M)+ 162.1045, found 162.1048;²⁵_D−31.2 (c 1.82, CH₂Cl₂).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (27 mg) in 82% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.60 (s, 1H), 5.31 (s, 1H), 2.35 (q, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 1.97 (qu, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.30 (dd, J=8.0, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 1.14 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.13 (m, 1H), 1.03 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.04 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.36 (t, J=5 Hz, 1H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 210.7, 148.5, 115.9, 45.7, 35.4, 29.7, 25.2, 20.6, 20.5, 19.1, 18.3; IR (film) ν_max2961, 2918, 1749 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₁H₁₆O (M)⁺ 164.1201, found 164.1199;²⁵_D−26.1 (c 0.65, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (50% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (36.7 mg) in 83% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.76 (s, 1H), 5.38 (s, 1H), 3.66 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 1.79-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.52 (s, 9H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 172.5, 152.7, 147.2, 123.2, 82.6, 46.0, 32.5, 29.1, 28.1 (3), 28.0; IR (film) ν_max2934, 1761, 1707, 1180, 1141 cm⁻¹; HRMS (CI) m/z calcd for C₁₂H₁₉NO₃(M+H—C₄H₈)⁺ 170.0817, found 170.0814.

See representative reaction procedure C. The trifluoroacetylation step was conducted at −78° C. SiO₂flash chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless oil (31.5 mg) in 82% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.70 (dd, J=5.5, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J=5.5, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 4.21 (m, 2H), 1.68 (septet, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 1.48-1.37 (m, 2H), 1.33-1.25 (m, 4H), 0.92 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 6H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 167.7, 132.3, 130.8, 128.7, 68.0, 38.6, 30.2, 23.6, 22.9, 14.0, 10.9; IR (film) νmax 2918, 1729, 1272 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₁H₁₇NO₂(M)⁺ 195.1259, found 195.1262;²⁵_D−0.007 (c 0.78, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. The trifluoroacetylation step was conducted at −78° C.¹H and¹³C NMR were identical with the reported data (Choudhuryi, et al. Tetrahedron 1999, 55, 10779-10788).

See representative reaction procedure C. The trifluoroacetylation step was conducted at −78° C. SiO₂flash chromatography (25% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a to colorless oil (20 mg) in 66% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.20 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (td, J=4.9, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.68 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 5.54 (dt, J=4.9, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 4.03 (ddt, J=5.9, 3.8, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 2.85-2.76 (m, 1H), 2.74-2.65 (m, 1H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 170.1, 136.4, 130.2, 129.6, 121.9, 80.1, 50.8, 39.4; IR (film) ν_max2923, 1762, 1665, 1400, 1016 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₈H₈O₂(M)⁺ 136.0524, found 136.0526;²⁵_D=−25.3 (c 0.14, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂flash chromatography (15% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a yellow oil (32 mg) in 65% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.13 (d, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 5.47 (d, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 2.51 (t, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 2.10 (dt, J=12.0, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 1.96 (dtd, J=13.0, 3.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 1.89 (ddd, J=14.5, 4.0, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 1.78-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.33 (m, 3H), 1.29 (s, 3H), 1.25-1.15 (m, 2H), 1.08 (dd, J=13.0, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 1.05 (s, 3H), 0.89 (s, 3H), 0.85 (s, 3H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 171.5, 137.6, 118.4, 84.8, 64.2, 57.2, 42.3, 39.1, 38.2, 37.6, 33.7, 33.6, 23.8, 21.3, 20.7, 18.4, 15.6; IR (film) ν_max2949, 1765, 1020, 930 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₁₇H₂₆O₂(M+H)⁺ 263.2011, found 263.2002;²⁵_D+15.0 (c 1.45, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. N-ethyl carbamate tropinone was prepared to according to the literature procedure (Badio et al. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1997, 321, 189-194). LiHMDS (4 equiv) and CF₃CO₂CH₂CF₃(4 equiv) were used for trifluoroacetylation. For the olefination protocol, after heating to reflux for 4 h, the reaction mixture was cooled to 80° C., and an additional portion of paraformaldehyde (200 mg) was added. After heating at this temperature for 4 h, the reaction mixture was heated to reflux (oil bath=90° C.) for 2 h. SiO₂flash chromatography (5% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a yellow oil (37 mg) in 85% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.13 (s, 2H), 5.37 (s, 2H), 4.95 (s, 2H), 4.11 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.32 (m, 2H), 1.76 (dd, J=8.0, 6.5 Hz, 2H), 1.21 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 187.4, 171.5, 154.3, 146.1, 146.0, 128.7, 61.8, 60.7, 59.0, 23.0, 21.4, 14.5; IR (film) ν_max2981, 1705, 1692, 1105 cm⁻¹; HRMS (ESI) m/z calcd for C₁₂H₁₅O₃(M+Na)⁺ 244.0950, found 244.0948.

See representative reaction procedure C. The tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl pregnenolone was prepared according to the literature procedure (Drew, et al. J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52, 4047-4052). SiO₂flash chromatography (4% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless solid (55 mg) in 64% yield: mp 119-121° C.;¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.43 (dd, J=17.5, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (dd, J=17.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.67 (dd, J=10.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.32 (m, 1H), 3.51-3.45 (m, 1H), 2.79 (t, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.14 (m, 4H), 2.03-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.80 (dt, J=13.0, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 1.75-1.60 (m, 4H), 1.53-1.39 (m, 6H), 1.30-1.17 (m, 2H), 0.99 (s, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.60 (s, 3H), 0.06 (s, 6H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 201.2, 141.9, 137.5, 127.4, 121.2, 72.9, 61.2, 57.6, 50.4, 45.1, 43.1, 39.4, 37.7, 37.0, 32.4, 32.3, 32.2, 26.3 (3), 25.0, 23.1, 21.4, 19.8, 18.6, 13.8, −4.2 (2); IR (film) ν_max2931, 1667, 1087 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₂₈H₄₆O₂Si (M+H)⁺ 443.3345, found 443.3340;²⁵_D+43.6 (c 0.1, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. The tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl androsterone was prepared according to the literature procedure (Izzo, et al. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 1999, 3505-3510). SiO₂flash chromatography (2% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the title compound as a colorless solid (47 mg) in 59% yield: mp 150-152° C.;¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.04 (m, 1H), 5.35 (m, 1H), 3.54 (tt, J=10.8, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.55 (dd, J=15.5, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 2.19-2.12 (m, 1H), 1.87-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.77-1.54 (m, 6H), 1.48-1.24 (m, 9H), 1.12-0.91 (m, 4H), 0.88 (s, 9H), 0.83 (s, 3H), 0.75-0.67 (m, 1H), 0.04 (s, 6H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 209.3, 144.9, 118.8, 72.3, 54.9, 49.0, 48.3, 45.3, 38.9, 37.4, 36.1, 34.9, 32.2, 31.9, 31.4, 29.6, 28.8, 26.3 (3), 20.8, 18.6, 14.5, 12.7, −4.2 (2); IR (film) ν_max2927, 2854, 1728, 1641, 1091 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₂₆H₄₄O₂Si (M+H)⁺ 417.3189, found 417.3186;²⁵_D+11.9 (c 2.1, CHCl₃).

See representative reaction procedure C. SiO₂PTLC (79% EtOAc; 29% hexanes; 1% Et₃N) afforded the title compound as a yellow oil (17 mg) in 28% yield:¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.45 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 2H), 6.66 (s, 1H), 5.73 (s, 1H), 4.14-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.36 (dd, J=14.0, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 3.28-3.22 (m, 1H), 2.98-2.91 (m, 1H), 2.64-2.60 (m, 1H), 2.57-2.47 (m, 2H), 2.36 (sextet, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 1.93-1.83 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.40 (m, 1H), 1.38-1.25 (m, 2H), 1.01 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H);¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 162.5, 145.2, 134.8, 131.5, 130.7, 125.8, 124.7, 124.4, 118.4, 116.9, 113.1, 54.4, 51.3, 44.5, 43.2, 32.2, 24.6, 21.3, 16.9, 8.8; IR (film) ν_max2936, 1692, 1455, 1092 cm⁻¹; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C₂₀H₂₂N₂O (M)⁺ 306.1732, found 306.1736; [[α]25_D−31.4 (c 0.34, CH₂Cl₂); UV (CH₃CN) λ_max(log ε) 255 (1.71), 265 (1.65) nm.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.