Synthesis of (E)-1-Benzyloxy-3-fluoro-1,3-butadiene: A Novel Fluorinated Diene for Diels-Alder Reactions

A new approach has been developed for the synthesis of the fluorinated Kitahara-Danishefsky's diene analogue, (E)-1-benzyloxy- 3-fluoro-1,3-butadiene, via a Pd-catalyzed process. This novel fluorine-containing diene reacts with various dienophiles to provide useful 1-fluorocyclohexene derivatives in good yields.