The reactions of 4-dimethylamino-1,1,1-trifluro-3-buten-2-one with tri
flic anhydride or POCl3 were investigated. The 4-dimethylamino-1,1,1-t
rifluoro-3-buten-2-one / triflic anhydride complex reacts with electro
n-rich aromatics to give the corresponding CF3 substituted 3-aryl- or
3-hetarylacroleins. Reaction proceeds highly stereoselectively, giving
preferentially E-isomer of aldehydes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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