We disclose the reductive trifluoromethylation of chemically stable homocystine and cystine to provide corresponding trifluoromethyl ethers by the CF3I/Na/Liq. NH3 system. Both non- protected and protected homocystines can be nicely converted into trifluoromethylated methionines under the same condition. The method described offers a robust synthesis of pharmaceutically important trifluoromethionine, suitable for multigram synthesis. ...
