Chemistry of the Anionically Activated Aromatic CF3 Group

Various chemistries could be accessed from the aromatic substrates containing CF3 functionality that is conjugated with the ionizable NH, OH or CH groups. The suggested mechanism involves formation of the quinone methide intermediate. It is generally accepted that these reactive species can be viewed as either C1 or C3X (X = N or CH2) synthone. Their reactions in situ with diverse electrophiles yield an array of [6,6]-fused or 5-membered aromatic heterocycles.