Mechanistic Studies on α-Trifluoromethylation of Ketones via Silyl Enol Ethers and Its Application to Other Carbonyl Compounds SatoKazuyuki YukiTakashi YamaguchiRyoji HamanoTetsuya TaruiAtsushi OmoteMasaaki KumadakiItsumaro AndoAkira 2009 Synthesis of α-CF<sub>3</sub> carbonyl compounds has been recognized to be difficult up to now because the polarization of CF<sub>3</sub><sup>δ−</sup>-I<sup>δ+</sup> is opposite to that of CH<sub>3</sub><sup>δ+</sup>-I<sup>δ−</sup>, and this makes it difficult to introduce CF<sub>3</sub><sup>+</sup> unit to enolates. We recently reported an effective α-trifluoromethylation of ketones by using Et<sub>2</sub>Zn with Rh catalyst, but the mechanism has not fully been cleared. Now, we carried out the detailed mechanistic studies and found the involvement of a highly reactive alkylrhodium complex which derived from Et<sub>2</sub>Zn and RhCl(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub> in this α-trifluoromethylation. Furthermore, this α-trifluoromethylation was applied to other types of carbonyl compounds in good yields.