Geminal difluorination of α,α′-disubstituted styrenes using fluoro-benziodoxole reagent. Migration aptitude of the α-substituents

alpha,alpha'-Disubstituted styrenes undergo a difluorination-rearrangement reaction with fluoro-benzoiodoxole reagent 1. The reaction is catalyzed by Pd(MeCN)(4)(BF4)(2) and Cu(MeCN)(4)PF6. We have studied the rearrangement of alpha,alpha'-diaryl substituted styrenes, in which the aryl groups have different electronic character. In the case of a aryl, alpha'-alkyl substituted styrenes, the aryl substituent has a higher migratory aptitude than the alkyl group. We have also extended the reactions to cycloalkyl styrenes, which underwent interesting ring contraction/expansion reactions. The regioselectivity of the migration can be explained on the basis of the formation of a phenonium intermediate.