Synthesis of fluorine compounds using zinc complex of halothane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00722-3

We have reported the Grignard reaction of Halothane, 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (1), with ketones gave unexpected products, α-(1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)alcohols (4) at a low temperature. However, this reaction hardly proceeded with aldehydes. Now, we found the reaction of 1 with aldehydes in the presence of zinc gave not only products of type 4, but α-(1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)alcohols (3), the expected type of products, under mild conditions in good to moderate yields.