Electrophilic Trifluoromethylation by Copper-Catalyzed Addition of CF₃-Transfer Reagents to Alkenes and Alkynes

Regio- and stereoselective Cu-catalyzed addition of the above hypervalent iodine reagent to alkynes and alkenes was achieved. In the presence of CuI, the reaction is suitable to perform trifluoromethyl-benzoyloxylation and trifluoromethyl-halogenation of alkenes and alkynes. Electron-donating substituents accelerate the process, and alkenes react faster than alkynes emphasizing the electrophilic character of the addition reaction