Synthesis and synthetic applications of (4-hydroxyphenyl) perfluoroalkylmethanols

Development of the convenient method for the synthesis of (hydroxyphenyl)perfluoro-alkylmethanols was achieved by the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) type reduction of the in situ-generated perfluoroalkylated ketones as the key step. The benzylic OH group of the resultant alcohols was successfully converted to H or Rf(CH2)(n)O by way of the corresponding chlorides, this transformation being not easy by any other methods. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

A convenient method for synthesizing (hydroxyphenyl)perfluoro-alkylmethanols was developed by utilizing the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) type reduction. The key step involved the in situ generation of perfluoroalkylated ketones. The resulting alcohols underwent successful transformation of the benzylic OH group to H or Rf(CH2)(n)O via the corresponding chlorides, a conversion not easily achieved by other methods.