Unique sodium dithionite initiated coupling of CF3CHClBr with 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene: Synthesis and structure of trifluoromethyl-bis(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methane

Sodium dithionite initiated reaction of 1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane with 1,3,5-trimethoxy-benzene (1) in an acetonitrile–water mixture gives trifluoromethyl-bis(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methane (2) as the only isolable product in over 32% yield. The structure of compound 2 was evidenced by spectral methods and X-ray crystal analysis.