Reactions of α-imino ketones derived from arylglyoxals with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane; a new route to β-amino-α-trifluoromethyl alcohols

The reactions of α-imino ketones, derived from arylglyoxals, with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF3SiMe3) in DME solution, in the presence of catalytic amount of CsF, at room temperature, yield O-silylated β-imino alcohols in the chemoselective manner. Subsequent reduction of these products with NaBH4 in ethanolic solution leads to the corresponding β-(N-alkyl)amino-α-trifluoromethyl alcohols in good to excellent yields. Trifluoromethylation of enantiomerically pure α-imino ketones (with Ar = Ph or p-MeOC6H4), bearing as a chiral auxiliary the PhCH(Me) group attached to the nitrogen atom, yields mixtures of diastereomeric products in the ratio of ca. 3:2.