Formation of quaternary carbon center with a trifluoromethyl group using a Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction.

Synthesis of compounds with quaternary carbons is one of the most attractive reactions in the synthetic chemistry. However, there are only a few reports on synthesis of the compounds with a fluoroalkyl group at a quaternary carbon center. Recently, we reported the synthesis of alpha-trifluoromethylated ketones by the reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with CF(3)-I using a Rh catalyst. When the alpha-trifluoromethylated ketones and allyl carbonates were treated with a Pd catalyst, the allylation reaction proceeded smoothly at the trifluoromethylated carbon to give the desired compounds with a trifluoromethylated quaternary carbon center in good to excellent yields.