A novel deacylation during the amination of trifluoromethyl β-dicarbonyl compounds

Starting from trifluoromethyl β-dicarbonyl compounds, a rare loss of CF3CO was observed in the amination reactions performed under heterogeneous conditions using NsONHCO2Et as the aminating agent and CaO or NaH as the base, while corresponding nonfluorinated β-dicarbonyl compounds under analogous conditions give non deacylated aminated compounds. This reaction can facilitate a direct synthesis of N-substituted α-amino esters or α-amino ketones.