3-Trifloxy-3-trifluoromethylpropeniminium Triflate: Reaction with Aromatic Amines – An Efficient Synthesis of 2-Trifluoromethylquinolines

The reaction of iminium triflates 2 and 7 with various aromatic amines were investigated. The 2-Rf-substituted quinolines 3 and 8 were prepared in excellent yields by the reaction of 2 and 7, respectively, with substituted anilines. The reactions of 2 and 7 with diarylamines proceeds, suprisingly, to afford the corresponding 3-Rf-substituted cinnamaldehydes 4 and 9.