Methylenation of perfluoroalkyl ketones using a Peterson olefination approach.

An operationally simple, inexpensive, and rapid route for the olefination of a wide array of trifluoromethyl ketones to yield 3,3,3-trifluoromethylpropenes is reported. Using a Peterson olefination approach, the reaction gives good to excellent yields of the alkene products and can be performed without purification of the β-hydroxysilyl intermediate. The reaction can be extended to other perfluoroalkyl substituents and is easily scaled up. The alkenes prepared can be readily transformed into a variety of other perfluoroalkyl-containing compounds.