1-Trifluoromethyl epoxy ethers. Effect of hexafluoro-2-propanol on reactions with secondary aromatic amines: synthesis of 3-trifluoromethyl indole derivatives.

Trifluoromethyl epoxy ethers 1 and 2 reacted with aromatic amines in hexafluoro-2-propanol at room temperature providing trifluoromethyl indolinols 3 and 4 in excellent isolated yields. 3-Trifluoromethyl indoles 9 and 10 could be prepared by treatment of indolinols with SOCl(2).