Facile preparation and synthetic applications of LiCH2C(CF3)2OLi

Bromohydrin BrCH2C(CF3)2OH readily reacts with two equivalents of n-BuLi at −78 °C to produce the corresponding dilithium derivative LiCH2C(CF3)2OLi in high yield. This dilithiated derivative reacts selectively, acting as a C-nucleophile, with a variety of electrophiles such as R2PCl, carbonyl compounds, and epoxides, to give electron-deficient phosphines R2PCH2C(CF3)2OH, 1,3- and 1,4-diols, correspondingly.