Synthesis of Fluorinated β-Ketosulfones and gem-Disulfones by Nucleophilic Fluoroalkylation of Esters and Sulfinates with Di- and Monofluoromethyl Sulfones

An efficient and practically useful method for the preparation of alpha-functionalized mono- and difluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methanes by using a nucleophilic fluoroalkylation methodology was developed. alpha,alpha-Difluoro-P-ketosulfones, alpha-monofluoro-beta-ketosulfones, and alpha-fluoro disulfones were successfully prepared in excellent yields by nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of esters and sulfinates with PhSO2CF2H and PhSO2CH2F reagents.