Divergent Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted 1,2-Dihydroquinoxalines and Diimines by Cascade Reactions of CF 3 -Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides with Azo Compounds.

A base-mediated cascade reaction of CF 3 -imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides and azo compounds has been achieved, allowing for facile access to trifluoromethyl-substituted 1,2-dihydroquinoxalines and diimines in moderate to excellent yields. Noteworthy is that the unusual N-N bond cleavage and rearrangement of azo compounds are involved in the transformations.