Decarboxylative fluorination and trifluoromethylation of benzoic acids

Objective:
This project will investigate the development of novel catalytic methods capable of transforming benzoic acids and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids into the corresponding decarboxofluorinated products.
Approach:
The student will examine the use of transition metal catalysts to mediate the 'activation' of the carboxyl C-C bond, resulting in a decarboxylative process. Subsequently, this process shall be coupled with a C-F bond forming step.
Novelty:
There are no broad methods available to carry out this transformation. Benzoic acids are extremely readily available, and fluorinated motifs are common in drugs and other biologically active molecules.