Difluorophenylsulfanylmethyl radical and difluoromethylene diradical synthons: gem-difluoromethylene building block.

Bromodifluorophenylsulfanylmethane has been demonstrated to be a highly versatile gem-difluoromethylene (CF2) building block via the reaction of difluorophenylsulfanylmethyl radical with olefins. gem-Difluoroalkenes and products containing a midchain CF2 group and with manipulatable functionality can be readily synthesized. The first example of a gem-difluoromethylene radical synthon is also reported. Copyright 2004 American Chemical Society