Improved Microwave-Assisted Ring Opening of 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2,3-epoxypropane: Synthesis of New 3-Alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ols

A highly efficient and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of 3-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ols is presented. The approach involves ring-opening reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-epoxypropane with structurally different long-chain alcohols under microwave irradiation at room temperature in the absence of solvent. These chemicals are precursors of the corresponding tri­fluoromethyl ketones, potent inhibitors of human and murine liver microsomes and porcine liver esterase.We are indebted to Miriam Fuentes for technical support and Drs. A. Delgado and A. Messeguer for the use of the microwave oven. We also gratefully acknowledge MICINN for a fellowship to J. Rayó, EU for a contract to L. Muñoz and CICYT (AGL2009-13452-C02-01) for financial support.Peer reviewe