Brook/Elimination/Aldol Reaction Sequence for the Direct One-Pot Preparation of Difluorinated Aldols from (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane and Acylsilanes

Abstract : A methodology allowing the one‐pot preparation of difluorinated aldols directly from Ruppert–Prakash reagent, acyltrimethylsilanes and aldehydes is reported. The process, initiated by a catalytic amount of an ammonium salt, involves the addition of (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane to the acylsilane, followed by a Brook rearrangement and elimination of a fluoride anion that promotes the subsequent aldol reaction. An efficient racemic reaction catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate is described, as well as our first efforts towards an asymmetric version.