Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Iodides: The Beneficial Anchoring Effect of Borates

Efficient copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of aromatic iodides was achieved with TMSCF3 in the presence of trimethylborate. The Lewis acid was used to anchor the in situ generated trifluoromethyl anion and suppress its rapid decomposition. Broad applicability of the new trifluoromethylating reaction was demonstrated in the functionalization of different aromatic and heteroaromatic iodides.