Reactions of aliphatic fluoro-alcohols with CHClF2 at atmospheric pressure

The reactions of aliphatic fluoro-alcohols with chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF2) at atmospheric pressure were examined. In the reaction of CF3CF2CH2OH, the difluoromethylated ether was obtained in moderate yield by using ethers such as 1,4-dioxane, diglyme and THF, or their mixtures with water as a reaction solvent. While acetal and orthoformate were also produced, the selectivity of the difluoromethylated ether could be improved by adding water to the reaction. The effect of water could be explained by the reaction mechanism.

Graphical abstractThe reactions of aliphatic fluoro-alcohols with CHClF2 proceeded at atmospheric pressure in ethereal solvents to afford difluoromethylated ether accompanied by acetal and orthoformate. The selectivity of the difluoromethylated ether was improved by adding water to the reaction. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide