Search

TMS ethers of CF

Reactions of conjugated dienones with arenes under superelectrophilic activation conditions result in the formation of conjugated enones, indanes, and carbocyclic structures.

N,O-Diprotonated forms (dications) of various quinolinecarbaldehydes were theoretically studied by DFT calculations. It was found that the most reactive electrophilic dications are expected to be generated from 2- and 4-quinolinecarbaldehydes compared to the other quinolinecarbaldehydes. Experimental studies of protonation of quinoline-2(6,8)-carbaldehydes in Bronsted acids (CF3SO3H, H2SO4) by means of 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR revealed the formation of the corresponding N-protonated O-protosolvated species. Reactions of quinoline-2(6,8)-carbaldehydes with arenes in the presence of Bronsted (TfOH) and Lewis acids (AlX3, X = Cl, Br) or acidic zeolites led to the formation of the corresponding 2(6,8)-(diarylmethyl)quinolines. However, 6- and 8-quinolinecarbaldehydes gave additionally unusual products – 6(8)-(arylmethyl)quinolines.

Acetylene derivatives of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, i.e., 5-(2-arylethynyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, have been obtained, for the first time reported, from 5-(2-arylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles by their bromination at the carbon–carbon double bond followed by di-dehydrobromination with NaNH2 in liquid NH3. The reaction of the acetylenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with arenes in neat triflic acid TfOH (CF3SO3H) at room temperature for 1 h resulted in the formation of E/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as products of regioselective hydroarylation of the acetylene bond. The addition of TfOH to the acetylene bond of these oxadiazoles quantitatively resulted in E/Z-vinyl triflates. The reactions of the cationic intermediates have been studied by DFT calculations and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Trimethylsilyl ethers of 1,5-diaryl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-pent-1-en-4-yn-3-oles [Ar–C≡C–C(CF3)(OSiMe3)–CH═CH–Ar′] in the superacid TfOH give rise to reactive conjugated CF3-allylic-propargylic cation...

Acetylene derivatives of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, 5-(2-arylethynyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, have been obtained, for the first time, from 5-(2-arylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles by their bromination at the carbon-carbon double bond followed by di-dehydrobromination with NaNH2 in liquid NH3. Reaction of the acetylene 1,2,4-oxadiazoles with arenes in neat triflic acid TfOH (CF3SO3H) at room temperature for 1 h result in the formation of E-/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as products of regioselective hydroarylation of the acetylene bond. Addition of TfOH to acetylene bond of these oxadiazoles gives rise quantitatively to E-/Z-vinyl triflates. Reaction cationic intermediates have been studied by DFT calculations. The reaction mechanisms have been discussed.

A novel catalyst-free synthesis of N-pyridin-2-yl, N-quinolin-2-yl, and N-isoquinolin-1-yl carbamates utilizes easily accessible N-hetaryl ureas and alcohols. The proposed environmentally friendly technique is suitable for the good-to-high yielding synthesis of a wide range of N-pyridin-2-yl or N-quinolin-2-yl substituted carbamates featuring electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups in the azine rings and containing various primary, secondary, and even tertiary alkyl substituents at the oxygen atom (48-94%; 31 examples). The DFT calculation and experimental study showed that the reaction proceeds through the intermediate formation of hetaryl isocyanates. The method can be applied to obtain N-isoquinolin-1-yl carbamates, although in lower yields, and ethyl benzo[h]quinolin-2-yl carbamate has also been successfully synthesized (68%).

Preparative limitations of the reaction of chloroethynylphosphonates with 2-(alkylamino)malonates have been established. Unlike the reaction of chloroethynylphosphonates with 2-(arylamino)malonates which involve only the carbon nucleophilic center, 2-(alkylamino)malonates react through both carbon and nitrogen atoms. The geometric structural, energetic, and charge parameters of the optimized structures of aliphatic and aromatic diethyl 2-aminomalonates have been determined by quantum chemical calculations using Gaussian 03 software, and pKa values for both nucleophilic centers in their molecules have been calculated.

Reactions of 2-carbonyl- and 2-hydroxy(or methoxy)alkylbenzimidazoles with arenes in the Brønsted superacid TfOH resulted in the formation of the corresponding Friedel–Crafts reaction products, 2-diarylmethyl and 2-arylmethyl-substituted benzimidazoles, in yields up to 90%. The reaction intermediates, protonated species derived from starting benzimidazoles in TfOH, were thoroughly studied by means of NMR and DFT calculations and plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed.

The reaction of CF3-propargyl alcohols [ArCCCH(OH)CF3] with arenes under the action of acidic HUSY zeolite CBV-720 was investigated. It was found that the reaction at 100 °C for 1 h gave rise to 3-aryl-1-CF3-indenes in up to 83% yield. Electronic characteristics of the reaction key intermediates, mesomeric CF3-propargyl-allenyl cations [ArCC−HC+(CF3) ↔ ArC+CCH(CF3)], were studied by DFT calculations. A plausible cationic reaction mechanism is discussed.

Reactions of 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimines with various bisisocyanide palladium(II) complexes were studied. The coupling proceeds with one isocyanide ligand to accomplish the acyclic diaminocarbene complexes. The structure of generated diaminocarbene complexes depends on bulkiness of isocyanide ligand in the bisisocyanide complexes of palladium(II). The imino-group of 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimine reacts with one isocyanide ligand of cis-[PdCl2(CN–R)2] (R = i-Pr, Cy, t-Bu, Bn), and the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring is coordinated to the palladium center as the second isocyanide ligand remains intact. In the case of cis-[PdCl2(CN–R)2] (R = 2-acyloxyphenyl, 2-sulfonyloxyphenyl), one isocyanide ligand is displaced from the coordination sphere. Structural features of the prepared diaminocarbene complexes have been studied by molecular spectroscopy techniques, cyclic voltammetry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. The photophysical properties of the obtained acyclic diaminocarbe...

The regioselectivity of electrochemical reduction of four trichlorobiphenyls (PCB 28–30 and PCB 37) was studied by cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis. The number of stages and mechanism of electrochemical reduction of each of the examined substrate were inferred on the basis of the experimental electron transfer coefficients and calculated (DFT) bond lengths and potential energy surface sections. GC/MS analysis of the controlled potential electrolysis products showed that chlorine atom in the disubstituted ring of trichlorobiphenyls is reduced more readily than in the monosubstituted ring and that the rate of chlorine reduction changes in the series o-Cl > p-Cl > m-Cl.

3,3,3-Trihalogeno-1-nitropropenes C(Hal3)CH═CH(NO2) (Hal = F, Cl, Br) in reaction with arenes in the superacid CF3SO3H (TfOH) at room temperature in 1 h afford 3,3,3-trihalogeno-1,2-diarylpropan-1-one oximes C(Hal3)CH(Ar)–C(Ar)═NOH (CHal3-oximes) in yields of 23–99%. Such CHal3-oximes having one ortho-substituent in the aryl ring exist as atropoisomers in solutions at room temperature. Several cationic intermediates of this reaction were studied by means of NMR and DFT calculations, which proves the detailed reaction mechanism of the formation of CHal3-oximes in TfOH. CHal3-oximes (for Hal = Cl, Br) with DBU in DMF at microwave or thermal activation are cyclized into 5-halogeno-3,4-diarylisoxazoles in yields of 37–59%. CHal3-oximes under the conditions of Beckmann rearrangement with PCl5 in benzene at room temperature in 24 h are turned at first into imidoyl chlorides (yields of 94–96%), which undergo transformation into the corresponding benzamides PhCONHCHPh(CHal3) on silica gel (yields of 46–47%).

The reaction of cis-[PdCl2(CNXyl)2] (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) with the aminoazoles [1H-imidazol-2-amine (1), 4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine (2), 1H-tetrazol-5-amine (3), 1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (4), 1-alkyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amines, where alkyl = Me (5), Et (6)] in a 2:1 ratio in the presence of a base in CHCl3 at RT proceeds regioselectively and leads to the binuclear diaminocarbene complexes [(ClPdCNXyl)2{μ-C(N-azolyl)N(Xyl)C═NXyl}] (7–12; 73–91%). Compounds 7–12 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, high-resolution ESI+-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D (1H,1H-COSY, 1H,1H-NOESY, 1H,13C-HSQC, 1H,13C-HMBC) NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction (XRDn). Inspection of the XRDn data and results of the Hirshfeld surface analysis suggest the presence in all six structures of intramolecular π-holeisocyanide···πarene interactions between the electrophilic C atom of the isocyanide moiety and the neighboring arene ring. These interactions also result in distortion of the Pd–C≡N–X...

Reaction of 5-arylethynyl-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles (acetylene tetrazoles) with arenes under the action of Bronsted superacid CF3SO3H or acidic zeolite HUSY CBV-720 gives rise to E-/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles, as products of hydroarylation of acetylene bond, in yields up to 98% with predominant formation of E-isomers. Cationic intermediates of these reactions have been studied theoretically by DFT calculations. Addition of CF3SO3H to the triple bond of acetylene tetrazoles leads to the corresponding E-/Z-vinyl triflates in high yields. Hydration of triple bond in these tetrazoles in H2SO4 results in the formation of 5-(2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles. Tandem hydroarylation-ionic hydrogenation of acetylene tetrazoles in the systems acid(CF3SO3H or AlCl3)-arene-cyclohexane affords 5-(2,2-diarylethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles.

Reactions of cross-conjugated enynones,1,5-diarylpent-1-en-4-yn-3-ones, with arenes in the system TfOH-pyridine or under the action of acidic zeolite HUSY lead regioselectively to products of hydroarylation of the acetylene bond only,1,1,5-triarylpent-1,4-dien-3-ones, in yields up to 98%. These dienones add one more arene molecule to the double carbon–carbon bond in neat TfOH forming 1,1,5,5-tetraarylpent-1-en-3-ones in high yields. Cationic reaction intermediates have been studied by means of DFT calculations to elucidate plausible reaction mechanisms.

Structural features of 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimines and their derivatives have been studied by molecular spectroscopy techniques, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. According to the theoretical calculations, the diimino tautomeric form of 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimines is more stable in solution than the imino-enamino form. We also found that the structurally related 2,3 exist in the solid state in the dimeric diketo form. 3,4-Diary1-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimines and 2,3-diarylmaleimides exhibit fluorescence in the blue region of the visible spectrum. The fluorescence spectra have large Stokes shifts. Aryl substituents at the 3,4-positions of 1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimine do not significantly affect fluorescence properties. The insertion of donor substituents into 2,3diarylmaleimides leads to bathochromic shift of emission bands with hyperchromic effect. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Superacidic activation of CF3-substituted allyl alcohols, bearing one or two bromine atoms at the CC double bond, with TfOH was studied. These brominated alcohols were found to behave as highly reactive multicentered electrophiles. The obtained cationic intermediates were studied by means of NMR and DFT calculations. The protonation of dibromo derivatives with TfOH resulted in cyclization to form trifluoromethylated 1H-indenes and/or indan-1-ones in yields up to 90%. The reaction of dibromosubstituted CF3-allyl alcohols with arenes in the presence of TfOH gave rise to either CF3-alkenes (formal substitution of hydroxyl with an aryl group) or CF3-indenes, depending on the nucleophilicity and bulkiness of the starting arenes. The reaction of monobrominated CF3-substituted allyl alcohols with arenes in TfOH afforded two regioisomeric CF3-alkenes, as a result of arylation of both terminal carbons of the allyl system, in yields up to 95%. The obtained brominated CF3-alkenes can be converted efficiently into trifluoromethylated allenes by treatment with KOH in ethanol in yields up to 92%.

2,4-Diaryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-oles and their TMS-ethers in H2SO4 at room temperature in just 2 min are quantitatively cyclized into 1-aryl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-indenes. The reaction proceeds through an intermediate formation of the corresponding CF3-allyl cations, which are cyclized regioselectively at the allyl carbon atom most remote from the CF3-group. The obtained CF3-indenes in solution of EtOAc in the presence of silica gel at room temperature over 4 h are quantitatively isomerized into 3-aryl-1-trifluoromethyl-1H-indenes.

The reaction of CF3-propargyl alcohols [ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH(OH)CF3] with arenes under the action of acidic HUSY zeolite CBV-720 was investigated. It was found that the reaction at 100 °C for 1 h gave rise to 3-aryl-1-CF3-indenes in up to 83% yield. Electronic characteristics of the reaction key intermediates, mesomeric CF3-propargyl-allenyl cations [ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-HC+(CF3) ↔ ArC+[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH(CF3)], were studied by DFT calculations. A plausible cationic reaction mechanism is discussed.

Reaction of linear conjugated enynones, 1,5-diarylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ones, with malononitrile in the presence of lithium diisopropylamide LDA, as a base, in THF at room temperature for 3&ndash, 7 h resulted in the formation of the product of dimerization, multisubstituted polyfunctional cyclohexanes, 4-aryl-2,6-bis(arylethynyl)-3-(aryloxomethyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexane-1,1-dicarbonitriles, in yields up to 60%. Varying the reaction conditions by decreasing time and temperature and changing the ratio of starting compounds (enynone and malononitrile) allowed isolating some intermediate compounds, which confirmed a plausible reaction mechanism. The relative stability of possible stereoisomers of such cyclohexanes was estimated by quantum chemical calculations (DFT method). The obtained cyclohexanes were found to possess photoluminescent properties.

The reaction of cis-[PdCl2(CNXyl)2] (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) with various 1,3-thiazol- and 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines in chloroform gives a mixture of two regioisomeric binuclear diaminocarbene complexes. For 1,3-thiazol-2-amines the isomeric ratio depends on the reaction conditions and kinetically (KRs) or thermodynamically (TRs) controlled regioisomers were obtained at room temperature and on heating, respectively. In CHCl3 solutions, the isomers are subject to reversible isomerization accompanied by the cleavage of Pd–N and C–N bonds in the carbene fragment XylNCN(R)Xyl. Results of DFT calculations followed by the topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the formalism of Bader’s theory (AIM method) reveal that in CHCl3 solution the relative stability of the regioisomers (ΔGexp = 1.2 kcal/mol; ΔGcalcd = 3.2 kcal/mol) is determined by the energy difference between two types of the intramolecular chalcogen bonds, viz. S···Cl in KRs (2.8–3.0 kcal/mol) and S···N in TRs (4.6–5.3 kcal/mol). ...

Regioselectivity of the methanolysis of lower polychlorinated biphenyls with sodium methoxide in a mixture of methanol and DMSO at 100–130°С was studied. It was found that 2,4,4'-tricholobiphenyl is much more reactive than 2,4-dichlorobiphenyl. This results in different mechanisms of substitution. 2,4-Dichlorobiphenyl reacts with sodium methoxide by the elimination–addition mechanism to form four monosubstitution products in comparable quantities. 2,4,4'-Trichlorobiphenyl reacts with the methodixe ion by the classical SNAr mechanism, with preferential substitution of the 2-chlorine atom.

The reaction of 5-(2-arylethenyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles with arenes (benzene, xylenes, tert-butylbenzene, anisole, veratrole, 1,2-dichlorobenzene) under conditions of superelectrophilic activation under the action of Bronsted superacids (CF3SO3H, FSO3H) or strong Lewis acids (AlCl3, AlBr3) leads regioselectively to the products of hydroarylation of the carbon–carbon double bond, viz., 5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetazoles, in yields of up to 95%.

Protonation of diazodiketones N2C(COR)2 in Bronsted superacids (TfOH, FSO3H, TfOH–SbF5) gives rise to stable and non-reactive O,O-diprotonated at carbonyl oxygens species N2C(C( OH+)R)2, which were studied by means of 1H and 13C NMR. Diazomalonates N2C(CO2Alk)2, contrary to diazodiketones, react with TfOH or HF, releasing nitrogen and producing triflates of oxymalonates TfOCH(CO2Alk)2 or fluoromalonates FCH(CO2Alk)2, respectively. Diazoketoesters N2C(COR)(CO2Alk) react in the same way only with TfOH, but not with HF. The reactions of diazomalonates with arenes ArH (benzene, toluene, xylenes) in TfOH solution yield corresponding Friedel–Crafts reaction products ArCH(CO2Alk)2. According to performed DFT calculations, trication +CH(C( OH+)OMe)2, a possible intermediate, which is derived from protonation of dimethyl diazomalonate, should be the strongest cationic carbon-centered electrophile known up to date.

The formation of the corresponding benzyl cations [ArHC(+)-CH(X)CF3] takes place under protonation of E-/Z-2-halogeno-2-CF3 styrenes [ArCH═C(X)CF3, X = F, Cl, Br] in superacids. The structures of these new electrophiles were studied by means of NMR and theoretical DFT calculations. According to these data, in the case of bromo derivatives, the formed cations, most probably, exist as cyclic bromonium ions; however, in the cases of chloro and fluoro derivatives, open forms are more preferable. Subsequent reaction of these benzyl cations with arenes proceeds as Friedel-Crafts alkylation to afford 1,1-diaryl-2-halo-3,3,3-trifluoropropanes [Ar(Ar')CH-CH(X)CF3] in high yields (up to 96%) as a mixture of two diastereomers. The prepared halogenopropanes were easily converted into the corresponding mixtures of E-/Z-trifluoromethylated diarylethenes [Ar(Ar')C═CCF3] (in yields up to 96%) by dehydrohalogenation with base (KOH or t-BuOK). The mechanism of elimination (E2 and Ecb) depends on the nature of the leaving group and reaction conditions.

1-(Diphenylphosphoryl)alka-1,2-dienes (phosphonoallenes) in Brønsted (super)acids (TfOH, FSO3H, H2SO4) gave the corresponding 1,2-oxaphosphol-3-enium ions, that were studied by means of NMR and DFT calculations. Upon hydrolysis of reaction solution, these cations afforded 3-hydroxyalk-2-en-1-yl-diphenylphosphine oxides (phosphonoallyl alcohols). But in (super)acids the cations were slowly transformed into O-protonated forms of 1-phenyl-1,4-dihydrophosphinoline 1-oxides, which were monitored by NMR. The latter phosphaheterocycles can be directly obtained from phosphonoallenes under the action of Lewis acid AlCl3.

The reaction of 3,4-diaryl-1H-pyrrol-2,5-diimines with cis-dichlorobis(isonitrile)platinum(II) affords the C,N-chelated diaminocarbene platinum(II) complexes, which have been fully characterized including molecular spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations. The obtained platinum(II) complexes are effective catalysts for the hydrosilylation of alkynes and alkenes. Thus, the reaction of phenylacetylene with triethoxysilane leads to the formation of α- and β-(E)-vinylsilanes, generating TON's in the range of 103 to 104 and TOF's in the range of 102 to 103 h−1. Also, the cross-linked silicones, possessing the luminescence properties, were obtained by the hydrosilylation reaction of vinyl- and hydride-containing polysiloxanes. Additionally, the efficiency of diaminocarbene platinum(II) complexes against CH1/PA-1, SW480, and A549 cancer cell lines has been demonstrated by in vitro cytotoxicity studies.

Reactions of 3-arylpropenenitriles [ArCH CHCN] with arenes [Ar’H] under the superelectrophilic activation conditions with Bronsted superacid TfOH (CF3SO3H) or strong Lewis acid AlBr3 result, first, in the formation of products of hydroarylation of the carbon-carbon double bond, 3,3-diarylpropanenitriles [Ar(Ar’)CHCH2CN]. Reactions may go further in TfOH leading to 3-arylindanones, as products of intramolecular aromatic acylation by the electrophilically activated nitrile group. Intermediate cationic species, derived at the protonation of the starting 3-arylpropenenitriles onto the carbon of C C bond and the nitrile nitrogen, have been studied by DFT calculation. A plausible reaction mechanism including the formation of highly reactive dications [(Ar)HC+–CH2C+ = NH] has been proposed. The obtained 3,3-diarylpropanenitriles have been transformed into pharmaceutically valuable 5-(2,2-diarylethyl)-1H-tetrazoles [Ar(Ar’)CHCH2Tetr] and 3-diarylpropylamines [Ar(Ar’)CH(CH2)2NH2] by the reactions with NaN3 and LiAlH4 correspondingly.

The TfOH-mediated reactions of 2,4-diaryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-yn-2-oles (CF3-substituted diaryl propargyl alcohols) with arenes in CH2Cl2 afford 1,3-diaryl-1-CF3-indenes in yields up to 84%. This new process for synthesis of such CF3-indenes is complete at room temperature within one hour. The synthetic potential, scope, and limitations of this reaction were illustrated by more than 70 examples. The proposed reaction mechanism invokes the formation of highly reactive CF3-propargyl cation intermediates that can be trapped at the two mesomeric positions by the intermolecular nucleophilic attack of an arene partner with a subsequent intramolecular ring closure.

Reactions of cross-conjugated enynones,1,5-diarylpent-1-en-4-yn-3-ones, with arenes in the system TfOH-pyridine or under the action of acidic zeolite HUSY lead regioselectively to products of hydroarylation of the acetylene bond only,1,1,5-triarylpent-1,4-dien-3-ones, in yields up to 98%. These dienones add one more arene molecule to the double carbon-carbon bond in neat TfOH forming 1,1,5,5-tetraarylpent-1-en-3-ones in high yields. Cationic reaction intermediates have been studied by means of DFT calculations to elucidate plausible reaction mechanisms.

The electronic and steric features of acyclic aminohydrazinocarbene ligands in palladium(II) complexes are studied by the DFT method. It was found that most of the studied complexes prefer an amphi-2 conformation over all the other possible conformations. At the same time, in the ligand containing a hydrazide fragment more stable is a syn conformation. The basicity and nucleophilicity of the title ligands are much higher compared to the respective characteristics of the triphenylphosphine ligand and close to those of bis-(diisopropylamino)carbene.

Cinnamides ArCH CHCONRR′ in reactions with arenes Ar′H under the action of Bronsted (TfOH, FSO3H) or Lewis (AlBr3) superacids at rt for 1–2 h give C C bond hydroarylation products ArAr′CHCH2CONRR′ in yields of 63–98%. Reduction (LiAlH4/Et2O) of carbonyl group in the latter results in the formation of 3,3-diarylpropylamines ArAr′CHCH2CH2NRR′, valuable drugs. The reaction intermediates, superelectrophilic dications ArC+H–CH2C(OH+)NRR′, have been characterized by DFT calculations in terms of global electrophilicity index, natural charges, and atomic orbitals contributions.

4-Aryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-ones ArCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CHCOCF3 (CF3-enones) react with arenes in excess of Brønsted superacids (TfOH, FSO3H) to give, stereoselectively, trans-1,3-diaryl-1-trifluoromethyl indanes in 35-85% yields. The reaction intermediates, the O-protonated ArCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CHC(OH(+))CF3 and the O,C-diprotonated ArHC(+)CH2C(OH(+))CF3 species, have been studied by means of (1)H, (13)C, (19)F NMR, and DFT calculations. Both types of the cations may participate in the reaction, depending on their electrophilicity and electron-donating properties of the arenes. The formation of CF3-indanes is a result of cascade reaction of protonated CF3-enones to form chemo-, regio- and stereoselectively three new C-C bonds. The obtained trans-1,3-diaryl-1-trifluoromethyl indanes were investigated as potential ligands for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 types. The most potent compound showed sub-micromolar affinity for both receptor subtypes with a 6-fold selectivity toward the CB2 receptor with no appreciable cytotoxicity toward SHSY5Y cells.