Addition of Carboxylic Acids to gem-Difluoroalkenes for the Synthesis of gem-Difluoromethylenated Compounds

Org Lett. 2024 Feb 16;26(6):1261-1264. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00095. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

We herein describe a straightforward protocol for the synthesis of carboxylic esters containing a gem-difluoromethylene unit. Readily available carboxylic acids can act as nucleophiles to add regioselectively to tetrasubstituted or trisubstituted β,β-difluoroacrylates (formal hydroacetoxylation) for the construction of RCO2-CF2 bonds. Thermal conditions are sufficient without the use of catalysts or additives.