Transition-Metal-Free Hydrodefluoroamination of Trifluoromethyl Enones for the Synthesis of α-Fluoroenamides

A three-component strategy was developed to enable hydrodefluoroamination of β-trifluoromethyl enones by selectively activating two C(sp³)-F bonds in the trifluoromethyl group. The method involved a sequence of carbonyl reduction, hydrodefluorination, and defluoroamination under transition-metal-free conditions. Synthetically useful (E)-stereospecific α-fluoroenamides were obtained in good yields with diverse functional group tolerance, which could be easily transformed into valuable organofluorides and heterocycles. The carbonyl auxiliary exerts both electronic and steric impacts on the CF₃-alkenes, allowing for controllable and selective defluorination.