Still, only a few, highly specific α-trifluoromethyl carboxylates have been described so far. Recent examples include constructing α-alkoxy-α-trifluoromethyl acids 3 and a procedure for electrophilic trifluoromethylation of the strongly nucleophilic carbon of β-ketocarboxylates. 4 Attempting α-alkylation of β,β,β- trifluoropropionates was proven impractical since a facile defluorination takes place even at −78 ░C: (CF 3 CH 2 COOR + B − → CF 2 CHCOOR). 5 Clearly, a ...
