Copper-Catalyzed Benzothiazolyldifluoroalkylation of Arylidenemalonitriles or para-Quinone Methides

We reported copper-catalyzed the 1,4- or 1,6-conjugate additions of arylidenemalonitriles or para-quinone methides with 2-bromodifluoromethylbenzo-1,3-thiazole for the preparation of benzothiazolyldifluoroalkyl containing (di)arylmethine compounds in moderate to excellent yields, providing a facile route for the synthesis of gem-difluoroalkylatated (di)arylmethine compounds. The synthetic utility of the current method was also demonstrated by a gram-scale reaction.