In Situ Generation of Difluoromethyl Diazomethane for [3+2] Cycloadditions with Alkynes

A novel approach to agrochemically important difluoromethyl-substituted pyrazoles has been developed based on the elusive reagent CF₂HCHN₂, which was synthesized (generated in situ) for the first time and employed in [3+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. The reaction is extremely practical as it is a one-pot process, does not require a catalyst or the isolation of the potentially toxic and explosive gaseous intermediate, and proceeds in a common solvent, namely chloroform, in air. The reaction is also scalable and allows for the preparation of the target pyrazoles on gram scale.