Preparations and reactions of 2-trifluoromethylketenimines

Preparations and reactions of a series of 2-trifluoromethylketenimines are described. Trifluoromethylketenimines were prepared from trifluoropropanoic acids via corresponding imidoyl chlorides in good yields. 2-Trifluoromethylketenimine was functionalized at its β-position by electrophilic addition of halide, followed by dehydrohalogenation. Addition of nucleophile at α-position gave trifluoroethylated β-amino acid derivative via 1,3-proton shift.