Synlett 2005(6): 0991-0993  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864813
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Direct Organocatalytic α-Fluorination of Aldehydes and Ketones

Dieter Enders*, Matthias R. M. Hüttl
Institut für Organische Chemie, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Professor-Pirlet-Str. 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Fax: +49(241)8092127; e-Mail: Enders@RWTH-aachen.de;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 25 January 2005
Publication Date:
23 March 2005 (online)

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Abstract

The first organocatalytic direct α-fluorination of aldehydes and ketones employing Selectfluor {1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)} as the fluorine source is reported. (S)-Proline and related derivatives act as organocatalysts to give the corresponding α-fluoroaldehydes and a-fluoroketones in moderate to good yields (47-78%). The asymmetric ­inductions are still low (ee ≤ 36%).