Cu-Catalyzed Desulfitative Trifluoromethylation of Styrene Sulfinic Acid with CF3SO2Na

A novel and efficient method for synthesizing substituted β-trifluoromethyl styrenes through a copper-catalyzed desulfitative trifluoromethylation reaction was developed. This innovative approach utilizes 2-phenylethenesulfinic acid as a substrate and sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate as a CF3 source under relatively mild reaction conditions. Notably, this protocol demonstrates remarkable stereoselectivity and wide substrate compatibility, offering a versatile platform for the preparation of β-trifluoromethyl styrene derivatives.