An Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolation of Silylenol Ethers and β-Naphthols with Diethylaminosulfur Trifluoride and (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane

An efficient and general trifluoromethylthiolation of silylenol ethers and β-naphthols have been accomplished employing the combination of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) and (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF3TMS) as source of electrophilic trifluoromethylthio moiety for the synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthiolated carbonyl compounds and β-naphthols in good yields. Important features of this method include wide functional group tolerance and use of readily available DAST/CF3TMS. Potential of the methodology was demonstrated via the synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthiolated (+)-4-cholesten-3-one and naphthoquinone. (Figure presented.).