Concentration-dependent reactions of Deoxofluor with arylglyoxal hydrates: A new route to polyfluoro ethers

[GRAPHICS] In concentrated solutions (CH2Cl2) at 25 degreesC, arylglyoxal hydrates, ArCOCHO .H2O (Ar = 3,4-OCH2O-C6H3-, 4-MeO-C6H4-, 4-Me-C6H4-, 4-F-C6H4-, Ph-, S-CH=CH-CH=C-) (2a-f) with Deoxofluor gave fluorinated ethers, ArCF2CHFOCHFCF2Ar, (3a-f) in > 90% yields as meso/racemic mixtures (similar to1:1). Under very dilute conditions, mixtures of ArCF2CHO (major) (4a-f) and ArCF2CF2H (6a-f) (minor) were obtained. The structures of 3b (racemic) and 4a (meso) have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.