Alcohol hydrofluorination

Stable dialkyl ether poly(hydrogen fluoride) complexes have been shown to be convenient and effective fluorinating agents.553 Various open-chain and cyclic alkenes undergo hydrofluorination with dimethyl ether-5 HF (DMEPHF) atroom temperature to furnish the corresponding fluoro derivatives in high yields (73-94%) with excellent selectivities. The fluorination of secondary and tertiary alcohols exhibit similar features. Bromofluorination of alkenes can also carried out with DMEPHF in combination with /V-bromosuccinimide. The homologous diethyl ether and dipropyl ether complexes are also suitable for fluorinations. 

Olah and Li2 have prepared a solid form of this reagent by reaction of anhydrous HF with cross-linked poly-4-vinylpyridine. It is comparable to pyridinium poly (hydrogen fluoride) for hydrofluorination of alkenes and alkynes and fluorination of alcohols, but is easier to handle. Work-up of reactions requires only a simple filtration, and the spent reagent can be regenerated with HF for further use. 

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