Robust synthesis of trifluoromethionine and its derivatives by reductive trifluoromethylation of amino acid disulfides by CF3I/Na/Liq.NH3 system

We disclose the reductive trifluoromethylation of chemically stable homocystine and cystine to provide corresponding trifluoromethyl ethers by the CF3I/Na/Liq.NH3 system. Both non-protected and protected homocystines can be nicely converted into trifluoromethylated methionines under the same condition. The method described offers a robust synthesis of pharmaceutically important trifluoromethionine, suitable for multigram synthesis. Pentafluoroethylation of homocystine was also achieved by the CF3CF2I/Na/Liq.NH3 system.