Synthesis of trifluoromethylated alkylboron compounds and incorporation into small molecules and macromolecules

Fluorinated macromolecules are widely utilized in industry, with the most notable example being Teflon, or perfluorotetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Additionally, methods for incorporating CF3 into small organic molecules are not well developed, but are needed to expand the chemical repertoire for fluorine incorporation into pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials.

Researchers in the Molander Lab have developed a metal-free synthetic route to incorporate CF3 groups and other fluorinated alkyl chains into small molecules as well as macromolecules using organoboron intermediates to generate newfound, polyfluorinated entities. These organoboron building blocks are bench-stable, with indefinite shelf-life.  The synthetic methods developed allow the introduction of CF3 at sp3-hybridized centers via a novel carbon-carbon bond connection.