Preparation of alkyl and aryl chlorodifluoromethyl ethers using BrF3

Both alkyl and aryl chlorothioformates could readily be obtained from the corresponding alcohols and thiophosgene. These families of compounds were treated with BrF3 to form the corresponding alkyl and aryl chlorodifluoromethyl ethers in 60-85% yields. The method is suitable for constructing a variety of aliphatic as well as electron-deficient aromatic chlorodifluoromethyl ethers. The reactions proceed under mild conditions and short reaction times. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).