Fluoroalkenes, epoxidation

In general, the peilluoioepoxides have boiling points that are quite similar to those of the corresponding fluoroalkenes. They can be distinguished easily from the olefins by it spectroscopy, specifically by the lack of olefinic absorption and the presence of a characteristic band between 1440 and 1550 cm . The nmr spectra of most of the epoxides have been recorded. Litde physical property data concerning these compounds have been pubhshed (Table 1). The stmcture of HFPO by electron diffraction (13) as well as its solubility and heats of solution in some organic solvents have been measured (14,15). 

Reaction of perfluoroaLkenes and hypochlorites has been shown to be a general synthesis of perfluoroepoxides (32) (eq. 7). This appears to be the method of choice for the preparation of epoxides from internal fluoroalkenes (38). Excellent yields of HFPO from hexafluoropropylene and sodium hypochlorite using phase-transfer conditions are claimed (34). 

The direct oxidation of fluoroalkenes is also an excellent general synthesis procedure for the preparation of perfluoroepoxides (eq. 8). This method exploits the low reactivity of the epoxide products to both organic and inorganic free radicals. 

Perfluoroepoxides have also been prepared by anodic oxidation of fluoroalkenes (39), the low temperature oxidation of fluoroalkenes with potassium permanganate (40), by addition of difluorocarbene to perfluoroacetyl fluoride (41) or hexafluoroacetone (42), epoxidation of fluoroalkenes with oxygen difluoride (43) or peracids (44), the photolysis of substituted l,3-dioxolan-4-ones (45), and the thermal rearrangement of perfluorodioxoles (46). 

The dihydroxylation of terminal ro-fluoroalkenes is accomplished by a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and formic acid. The first step is obviously the formation of an epoxide followed by ring opening.88 The reactivity of the C = C bond is very probably not affected by the distant C-F bond.88... 

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