Synthesis of CMe2CF3-Containing Heteroarenes via Tandem 1,1-Dimethyltrifluoroethylation and Cyclization of Isonitriles

A tandem 1,1-dimethyltrifluoroethylation and cyclization of isonitriles with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid was developed. This protocol provides the efficient synthesis of a series of previously unknown CMe2CF3-containing heteroarenes, which are potentially useful in the drug discovery process.