Co-thermolysis: a one-pot synthetic method for novel 2-substituted-5-(trifluoromethoxy)thiophenes

A new ‘green’ process to obtain trifluoromethoxylated compounds by a gas-phase method has been accomplished. Through it, new 2-substituted-5-(trifluoromethoxy)thiophenes have been obtained in moderate to good yields. Though the reaction occurs in the gas-phase and radicals are involved, an electron transfer mechanism is also postulated to explain the appearance of all detected products.