Scope and limitations of the Julia-Kocienski reaction with fluorinated sulfonylesters

The study of the Julia-Kocienski reaction between fluorinated arylsulfone and ketones is described. The corresponding fluoroalkenes were isolated in moderate to good yields from β- and δ-substituted cyclic ketones. From acyclic ketones and α-substituted cyclic ketones a decarbethoxylation reaction of the sulfonylesters occurred. This decarbethoxylation reaction opened a new route for the preparation of a variety of fluoroalkylsulfones as potential building blocks for the preparation of fluoroalkenes.