We reported herein a copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylarylated cycloaddition of imidazoles and olefins using CF3SO2Cl as the radical source to synthesize highly functionalized tricyclic imidazoles. This procedure exhibits a wide range of substrate scope with 25%-93% isolated yields (36 examples). Mechanistic studies were carried out to support a free trifluoromethyl radical pathway.
Shengnan Lin, Jianchao Cui, Yu Chen, Yi Li. Copper-Catalyzed Direct Cycloaddition of Imidazoles and Alkenes to Trifluoromethylated Tricyclic Imidazoles. The Journal of organic chemistry. 2021 Nov 05;86(21):15768-15776
PMID: 34632765
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