HFIP‐Mediated Electrophilic Chemistry: Synthetic Utility and Mechanistic Insights

Hexafluoroisopropanol has emerged as a distinctive solvent, recognized for its ability to facilitate a variety of difficult chemical transformations. Its application has extended beyond conventional roles, serving effectively as a solvent, cosolvent, additive, and acidic promoter in organic synthesis. The compound's exceptional characteristics, particularly its high polarity and minimal nucleophilicity, enable the stabilization of cationic intermediates from a variety of sources, making it especially valuable in reactions involving electrophilic species.