Reductive Perfluoroalkylation of Esters with Perfluoroalkyl Titanates

Significance

This method represents an easy way for the preparation of secondary alcohols, bearing a perfluorinated chain. The reaction of a perfluoroalkylmagnesium species with Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ gives an at room temperature remarkably stable perfluoroalkylmetallic reagent, which easily reacts with aldehydes and esters. In both cases, the product is a perfluorinated secondary alcohol. The discovery of a stable perfluoroalkyl metal species should lead to other useful synthetic methods in this interesting field of organic synthesis.