The trifluoromethanesulfonyl group (CF3S02-) is probably the strongest neutral electron- withdrawing group known, as attested by its acidifying influence in triflic acid (CF3SOZOH) l and its amides (CF3S02NHR) 2 as well as its deactivating potential in aromatic substituti~ n.~ When attached to carbon, in the" triflones"(CF3S02C), this property and the innate stability of the group itself imply it may have considerable value in synthesis. We envision ...