Synthesis and conformational analysis of α,α-difluoroalkyl heteroaryl ethers

We report the efficient synthesis of difluoroalkyl aryl ethers from the rearrangement of heteroaryl ketones and aldehydes, mediated by xenon difluoride and HF/pyridine in methylene chloride at room temperature. Computational analysis of difluoroalkylethers shows that there is potential to allow access to conformational space not accessible to the hydrogenated parent.