Base-Controlled Regiodivergent Azidation of Trifluoromethyl Alkenyl Triflates: Transition-Metal-Free Access to CF3-Containing Allyl Azides and Alkenyl Azides.

A base-controlled regiodivergent azidation of trifluoromethyl alkenyl triflates providing either (E)-3-azido-1-aryl-4,4,4-trifluorobut-1-ene (CF3-containing allyl azides) or (Z)-1-azido-1-aryl-4,4,4-trifluorobut-1-ene (CF3-containing alkenyl azides) is described. Catalyzed by Et3N, the azidation of trifluoromethyl alkenyl triflates with TMSN3 gave CF3-containing allyl azides. On the other hand, using stoichiometric DBU, the regioisomeric azidation products, CF3-containing alkenyl azides, were obtained in good yield. A further transformation for CF3-containing amines, triazoles, and azirines highlights the practical applicability of this transition-metal-free protocol.