The efficient and selective incorporation of monofluoromethyl groups into organic molecules has attracted great attention in recent years. Monofluoromethylation is usually archived by direct functionalization with CH₂FBr or indirectly, via CH₂BrI, CH₂ClI, or similar agents. These reagents are ozone depleting substances and its use should be strictly avoided. In this work, we successfully optimized the conditions to prepare fluoromethyl phenyl sulfoxide, a key intermediate in the preparation of monofluoromethylating reagents. A protocol to perform the monofluoromethylation of two steroids was also developed, which was validate through the synthesis of two important and complex pharmaceutical drugs used in the treatment of asthma and rhinitis, fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate, respectively.

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