Abstract
A method for the trifluoromethylation of ortho-hydroxycinnamic esters was developed to achieve the regioselective synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylated coumarins. The reaction was performed by using the Togni reagent as the CF3 source under mild conditions and showed good functional- group tolerance. The scope of this copper-mediated method was further expanded to the synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylated carbostyrils starting from ortho-aminocinnamic derivatives. Interestingly, a sequential one-pot synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylated coumarins starting from salicylaldehydes was further developed. The mechanism of this cascade reaction was explored, and a radical pathway was found to be consistent with the obtained results.