Recent Applications of Trifluoroacetaldehyde Ethyl Hemiacetal for the Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Compounds

In this review, recent application of trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (TFAE) in the preparation of α-trifluoromethyl alcohols and α-trifluoromethyl amines, especially by the direct regioselective and stereoselective substitution of TFAE and its derivatives like imines with various aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, is reviewed. Moreover, some useful methods for preparing important potentially bioactive fluorinated compounds, such as o- and p-substituted fluoroalkylphenols and β-trifluoromethyl amino acids, are also introduced.