Research

Asymmetric Trifluoromethylation Reactions

In recent years, fluorine containing molecules have become important in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and in particular, the trifluoromethyl group appears in many biologically active compounds such as the HIV antiretroviral drug Efavirenz.  The increased lipophilicity and metabolic stability of the CF3 group often accounts for an improved activity profile.  Unfortunately, the regio- and stereoselective incorporation of the trifluoromethyl group into organic molecules remains a challenge for chemists.  Research toward the selective incorporation of this important functional group is another focus in our group.

Publications:

Sakavuyi, K., Petersen, K. S. Nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of conjugate acceptors via phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone. Tetrahedron Lett. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.08.132