Difluorocarbene Addition to Alkenes and Alkynes in Continuous Flow

Org Lett. 2016 May 6;18(9):1988-91. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.6b00573. Epub 2016 Apr 27.

Abstract

The first in-flow difluorocarbene generation and addition to alkenes and alkynes is reported. The application of continuous flow technology allowed for the controlled generation of difluorocarbene from TMSCF3 and a catalytic quantity of NaI. The in situ generated electrophilic carbene reacts smoothly with a broad range of alkenes and alkynes, allowing the synthesis of the corresponding difluorocyclopropanes and difluorocyclopropenes. The reaction is complete within a 10 min residence time at high reaction concentrations. With a production flow rate of 1 mmol/min, continuous flow chemistry enables scale up of this process in a green, atom-economic, and safe manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't