Synthesis of Fluoromethylated Chromones and Their Heteroatom Analogues via Sodium Fluoromethanesulfinate-Enabled Direct Fluoromethylation.

An array of biologically interesting tri/difluoromethylated chromones and their heteroatom analogues were conveniently synthesized from the reaction of chromones and their heteroatom analogues with CF 3 SO 2 Na or HCF 2 SO 2 Na in the presence of tert -butyl hydroperoxide under mild conditions. A mechanistic pathway involving the generation of the electrophilic tri/difluoromethyl radical, followed with the radical substitution of chromones and their heteroatom analogues, was postulated.