Synthesis of difluoromethyl ethers and sulfides

Abstract

The synthesis of difluoromethyl ethers and sulfides with a simple, non-ozone-depleting reagent is described. The difluoromethylation of phenols with this reagent occurs at room temperature within minutes with exceptional functional group tolerance. The mild conditions makes possible tandem processes for the conversion of aryl boronic acids, aryl halides and arenes to difluoromethyl ethers. Mechanistic studies support a reaction pathway involving nucleophilic attack of the phenolate to difluorocarbene.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.