4-Trifluoromethylphenol

Chlorosilane and bromotrifluoromethane at-59℃form trifluoromethylsilane. Trifluoromethylsilane and benzoquinone in the presence of catalyst form 4-triethylsiloxy-4-trifluoromethyl-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ketone which is reduced by zinc powder to p-trifluoromethylphenol with a yield of 71%. This method avoids the use of  hydrofluoric acid in the traditional process but  should be carried out under anhydrous conditions.If there were water trifluoromethyl silane would rapidly become silanol under the effect of water and alkali. The catalyst used in the reaction is alkali of which the strength has nothing to do with the catalytic activity. By now the role of catalyst is still unknown but the reaction can not proceed without catalyst.

Off-white crystal

For intermediate of medicine and pesticide.

White to yellowish-brown crystals

Intermediates of Liquid Crystals

4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenol (4-hydroxybenzotrifluoride) was used in the synthesis of diaryl ether.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 54, p. 2873, 1989 DOI: 10.1021/jo00273a020

4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenol molecule, bound at the active site of H61T (His-61→Thr) mutant, shows strong density.