Divergent Three-Component Assembly of Difluoromethyl 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles.

A divergent three-component assembly strategy for the construction of difluoromethylated compounds is established. Using benzohydrazide, carbon disulfide and sodium chlorodifluoroacetate as reaction partners, two types of heterocyclic products, namely 3-difluoromethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiones and 2-difluoromethylthio-1,3,4-oxadiazoles, are efficiently afforded via this protocol. This reaction exhibits robust functional group compatibility; halogens, nitro groups, trifluoromethyl substituents as well as various heterocyclic skeletons are well tolerated, and the target products were obtained with satisfactory yields.