Sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF₃SO₂Na) is the sodium salt of trifluoromethanesulfinic acid. Together with

t-butyl hydroperoxide ''tert''-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) is the organic compound with the formula (CH3)3COOH. It is one of the most widely used hydroperoxides in a variety of oxidation processes, for example the Halcon process. It is normally supplied as a 69–70 ...

, an oxidant, this compound was found to be a suitable reagent for introducing

trifluoromethyl group The trifluoromethyl group is a functional group that has the formula -CF3. The naming of is group is derived from the methyl group (which has the formula -CH3), by replacing each hydrogen atom by a fluorine atom. Some common examples are trifluorom ...

s onto electron-rich aromatic compounds by Langlois; this reagent is also known as the Langlois reagent. This reaction operates via a

free radical A daughter category of ''Ageing'', this category deals only with the biological aspects of ageing. Ageing Ailments of unknown cause Biogerontology Biological processes Causes of death Cellular processes Gerontology Life extension Metabo ...

mechanism. This reagent is also able to trifluoromethylate electron-deficient aromatic compounds under

biphasic Biphasic, meaning having two phases, may refer to: * Phase (matter), in the physical sciences, a biphasic system, e.g. one involving liquid water and steam * Biphasic sleep, a nap or siesta in addition to the usual sleep episode at night * Phase ...

conditions. Zinc difluoromethanesulfinate, a related polymeric

coordination complex A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as ''ligands'' or complexing agents. Many ...

, is able to introduce difluoromethyl groups (CHF₂-) onto aromatic compounds under similar biphasic conditions as well. With the use of DMSO as an oxidant, it provides an environmentally friendly way for the synthesis of β-trifluoromethyl alcohols from alkenes.

References

Further reading