Recent advances in silver-mediated/catalyzed synthesis of trifluoromethoxy compounds

The trifluoromethoxy group (OCF₃) has garnered significant attention and exhibited unique characteristics in the realms of life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. The development of efficient methods for synthesizing diverse trifluoromethoxy molecules is therefore of paramount importance. However, due to the weak nucleophilicity and instability of the OCF₃ group, many catalysts have shown limited applicability in OCF₃ compound synthesis. Encouragingly, silver catalysts have emerged as notable contenders and have effectively facilitated the synthesis of a variety of alkyl, aromatic and alkenyl OCF₃ products through direct trifluoromethoxylation and indirect methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of silver-mediated/catalyzed reactions for the synthesis of trifluoromethoxy molecules, focusing particularly on the roles of silver and the reaction mechanisms.