Rh-catalyzed novel α-fluoroalkylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones and its mechanism

Treatment of α,β-unsaturated ketones and fluoroalkyl halides with Et2Zn in the presence of RhCl(PPh3)3 gave novel reductive fluoroalkylation products at the α-position of α,β-unsaturated ketones in moderate to good yields. The rhodium hydride complex derived from Et2Zn and Rh catalyst seems to have played an important role in this reaction.