A new bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphonate for the synthesis of Z-unsaturated N-methoxy-N-methylamides.

The N-methoxy-N-methyl bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphonamide was easily obtained via the Arbuzov reaction with use of commercially available tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphite, 2-bromo-N-methoxy-N-methylacetamide, and KF/alumina. The reaction of bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)phosphonate with several aldehydes demonstrates the versatility of the method, which gives Z-unsaturated amides in good yields.