Chlorotrimethylsilane → 2-Amino-4,4,4-trifluorobutan-1-ol

A solution of trimethylsilyl chloride (1.38 g, 12.73 mmol) was added to a solution of lithium borohydride (3.2 mL, 2.0 M in THF) and THF (5 mL) at 25° C. After stirring 5 min, 2-amino-4,4,4-trifluoro-butyric acid (0.50 g, 3.18 mmol) was added portionwise over a 5 min period. The reaction was allowed to stir 48 h. The reaction was quenched by cautious addition of MeOH (5 mL) dropwise. The solvent was evaporated and the residue treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution (20%, 6 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted using dichloromethane, 3 times (10 mL each). The organic phases were combined and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After filtration the solvent was evaporated to afford the 2-amino-4,4,4-trifluoro-butan-1-ol as an oil (0.174 g, 38%). This oil was used directly in the next reaction without further purification.