Base-Catalyzed H/D Exchange Reaction of Difluoromethylarenes

The budding deuteriodifluoromethyl group (CF2D) is a potentially significant functional group in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we investigated t-BuOK-catalyzed H/D exchange reaction of difluoromethylarenes in DMSO-d6 solution. The method provides excellent deuterium incorporation at the difluoromethyl group. Meanwhile, the effect of a trace amount of D2O in DMSO-d6 solution on the deuteration reaction was also investigated.