Chemistry Letters, Vol.37, No.9, 1006-1007, 2008
Synthesis of gem-Difluoroalkenes via beta-Fluoride Elimination of Organorhodium(I)
Treatment of alpha-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with arylboronic esters and MeMgCl in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst affords gem-difluoroalkenes. The reaction proceeds through the addition of arylrhodium(I) species across the electron-deficient carbon-carbon double bond and the subsequent beta-floride elimination.