Use of Polyethylene Glycol in the Synthesis of Alkyl Fluorides from Alkyl Sulfonates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1987-28123

In the synthesis of monofluorinated organic compounds, the reaction of potassium fluoride with mesylates and tosylates of alcohols affords fluoro derivatives when polyethylene glycol 400 is used as solvent and catalyst.The limitation of this reaction is the solvolysis of the leaving group by the solvent; the phenomenon is controlled by the degree of steric hindrance around the reaction centre.