Stereoselective Nucleophilic Halogenation at CF₃-Substituted Nonclassical Carbocation

CF3-substituted cyclopropyl carbinol derivatives undergo regioselective and diastereoselective nucleophilic halogenation at the quaternary carbon center to provide acyclic products as a single diastereomer. The selectivity of the substitution is rationalized by the formation of a nonclassical cyclopropylcarbinyl cation intermediate, reacting at the most-substituted carbon center. Tertiary alkyl chlorides, bromides, and fluorides adjacent to a stereogenic C–CF3-motif are diastereomerically pure and can be obtained in few catalytic steps from commercially available alkynes.