Effective synthesis of difluorocyclohexadienones by electrochemical oxidation of phenols

Electrochemical oxidation of phenols was examined using Et3N-5HF as the electrolyte and various electrodes. Carbon fiber cloth was found to be Suitable as the anode and a variety of phenols Could be converted to 4,4-difluorocyclohexadienone derivatives in good yields. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.