Electrophilic Reaction of 2,2,2-Trifluorodiazoethane with the in Situ Generated N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Access to N-Aminoguanidines.

A facile and efficient electrophilic reaction of 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2) with the in situ generated N-heterocyclic carbenes is reported. Under basic conditions, a series of trifluoromethylated N-aminoguanidines were obtained in good to high yields. Furthermore, this protocol was applied in the synthesis of the agrochemical Imidacloprid analogue.