Copper-mediated α-trifluoromethylation of N-phenylcinnamamides coupled with dearomatization: access to trifluoromethylated 1-azaspiro[4.5]decanes.

Copper-mediated intramolecular trifluoromethylation of N-phenylcinnamamides coupled with cyclization and dearomatization was used to construct various trifluoromethylated 1-azaspiro[4.5]decanes in moderate to high yields and with excellent regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.