A direct trifluoromethylation method preferably using a trifluoromethane as a fluoro-methylating species. In particular, the present method is used for preparing a trifluoromethylated substrate by reacting a fluoromethylatable substrate with a trifiuoromethylating agent in the presence of an alkoxide or metal salt of silazane under conditions sufficient to trifluoromethylate the substrate; wherein the fluoromethylatable substrate includes chlorosilanes, carbonyl compounds such as esters, aryl halides, aldehydes, ketones, chalcones, alkyl formates, alkyl halides, aryl halides, alkyl borates, carbon dioxide or sulfur.