A series of 1-aryl-3,3,3-trifluro-1-propanones have been synthesized from t
he reaction of FO2SCF2CO2Me with beta -bromoenol phosphates in the presence
of Cul in moderate yield. The reaction mechanism was discussion, the elect
ron-withdrawing substituent at the beta -position of the enol phosphates pr
omoted the catalytic cleavage of the O-P bond in enol phosphates by fluorid
e ion.