2024 February 28 | Edna Mao, Cesar N. Prieto Kullmer, Holt A. Sakai, David W. C. MacMillan
This study reports a novel method for the direct deoxydifluoromethylation of aliphatic alcohols to generate difluoromethylated bioisosteres. The approach combines benzoxazolium-mediated deoxygenation with copper-mediated C(sp³)-CF₂H bond formation, enabling the efficient conversion of hydroxyl groups into difluoromethyl groups at a late stage in drug discovery. This strategy allows for the rapid evaluation of bioisosteres without the need for lengthy re-synthesis of potential candidates. The method is applicable to a wide range of substrates, including primary and secondary alcohols, as well as complex drug-like molecules and pharmaceuticals. The reaction proceeds through a two-step process: first, the activation of the alcohol to form an alkyl radical, followed by the formation of the C(sp³)-CF₂H bond via a copper-mediated reaction with an electrophilic CF₂H reagent. The method was optimized under mild conditions and demonstrated high efficiency and broad substrate scope. The difluoromethylated products were successfully synthesized from various alcohols, including those derived from natural biomolecules, and showed promising potential in drug development. Additionally, the method was extended to enable efficient deoxygenative difluoroalkylation of diverse alcohols. This work highlights the versatility of the approach in late-stage functionalization and its potential to accelerate the discovery of novel difluoromethylated and difluoroalkylated therapeutics.This study reports a novel method for the direct deoxydifluoromethylation of aliphatic alcohols to generate difluoromethylated bioisosteres. The approach combines benzoxazolium-mediated deoxygenation with copper-mediated C(sp³)-CF₂H bond formation, enabling the efficient conversion of hydroxyl groups into difluoromethyl groups at a late stage in drug discovery. This strategy allows for the rapid evaluation of bioisosteres without the need for lengthy re-synthesis of potential candidates. The method is applicable to a wide range of substrates, including primary and secondary alcohols, as well as complex drug-like molecules and pharmaceuticals. The reaction proceeds through a two-step process: first, the activation of the alcohol to form an alkyl radical, followed by the formation of the C(sp³)-CF₂H bond via a copper-mediated reaction with an electrophilic CF₂H reagent. The method was optimized under mild conditions and demonstrated high efficiency and broad substrate scope. The difluoromethylated products were successfully synthesized from various alcohols, including those derived from natural biomolecules, and showed promising potential in drug development. Additionally, the method was extended to enable efficient deoxygenative difluoroalkylation of diverse alcohols. This work highlights the versatility of the approach in late-stage functionalization and its potential to accelerate the discovery of novel difluoromethylated and difluoroalkylated therapeutics.