N-Trifluoromethoxyphthalimide: A Shelf-Stable Reagent for Nucleophilic Trifluoromethoxylation

Due to the unique properties of the OCF₃ group, trifluoromethyl ether compounds play an important role in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the development of practical and convenient reagents for the direct incorporation of the OCF₃ group into organic compounds. Herein, we reported a new trifluoromethoxylating reagent N-trifluoromethoxyphthalimide (Phth-OCF₃). The reagent was a stable solid and released an OCF₃ anion under mild reaction conditions. We demonstrated the application of Phth-OCF₃ for the nucleophilic trifluoromethoxylation of various alkyl electrophiles.