Fluoroolefins addition, electrophilic

The effects of a- vs. P-fluonnation imply that fluoroolefms normally react regioselectively with electrophiles to minimize the number of fluorines p to the electron-deficient carbon in the transition state. Diverse types of electrophilic additions follow this rule (equations 6-8, for example), although there aie exceptions, especially for ionic addiPons of halomethanes to fluoroolefins [124]... 

With regard to nonfluorinated olefins, the great reactivity of fluoroolefins toward nucleophiles comes from both a higher electrophilicity of the double bond, and from the stabilization of the carbanion, resulting from the addition of the nucleophile, by jS-fluorine atoms." °... 

The last comprehensive review on electrophilic reactions of fluoroolefins was published in 1969 [6], Since then, several reviews and papers dealing with different aspects of this chemistry, such as alkylation and alkenylation reactions [7], addition of halogen fluorosulfates [8], trifluoromethanesulfonates [9] and halogen fluorides [10] to fluoroolefins have been published. Additional information on the reactions involving carbocations could be found in two recent review articles [11,12] some data on the subject are scattered in several books and journals [13-19]. 

Reactivity of Fluoroolefins and Orientation of Addition in Electrophilic Reactions... 

Fluorinated carbocations play an important role as intermediates in electrophilic reactions of fluoroolefins and other unsaturated compounds. For example, F-allyl cation 1 was proposed as a reactive intermediate in reactions of HFP with fluoroolefins catalyzed by Lewis acids [7]. The difference in stability of the corresponding allylic cations was suggested as the explanation for regio-specific electrophilic conjugated addition to CF2=CC1CF=CF2 [11]. Allylic polyfluorinated carbocations were proposed as intermediates in the reactions of terminal allenes with HF [53] and BF3 [54], ring-opening reactions of cyclopropanes [55], Carbocations are also an important part of the classic mechanism of electrophilic addition to olefins (see Eq. 2). This section deals with the questions of existence and stability of poly- and perfluorinated carbocations. 

No good explanation exists for deviations in orientation of addition of hypochlorites to fluoroolefins however, it could be an indication of either a different mechanism of addition, such as radical, or a compromise between two mechanisms electrophilic and radical. 

Addition of halogen fluorosulfates XOS02F (X=C1, Br, I) to fluoroolefins is considered an electrophilic reaction [8]. However, the question of whether this process is concerted or the reaction proceeds via an independent carbocationic intermediate (Eqs. 2 and 3) is still open. Formation of carboxylic acid esters as byproducts in the reaction of HFP with C10S02F, which was carried out in trifluoroacetic or heptafluorobutyric acids as solvents, could not be a solid proof of conjugate addition, since formation of esters may be a result of addition of C10C(0)Rf to olefin. These materials are known to be formed in the reaction of ClOS02F with fluorinated carboxylic acids, even at low temperature [99]. 

Nitration of fluoroolefins can be achieved by several methods. Widely studied thermal reaction of N204 with fluoroolefins has a radical mechanism, although the low temperature reaction of nitrogen dioxide with polyfluorinated vinyl ethers proceeds as electrophilic addition of nitrosonium nitrate NO+ N02 across the C=C bond [6] ... 

All experimental data are in agreement with the electrophilic mechanism of addition of 02N0S02F to fluoroolefins. 

Fluoroolefins add mercuric fluoride at 50- 100 °C to give bis(polyfluoroalkyl)-mercury derivatives. Reaction is usually carried out in hydrogen fluoride as a solvent. This process was reviewed and the electrophilic nature of this process established [6]. Addition to olefin starts by the attack of cation 3 (Eq. 5) on the double bond of fluoroolefin. 

Thermal addition of SXC12 to fluoroolefins was often referred to as electrophilic addition [136, 137], although observed orientation of addition actually resembles that in radical reactions [139], Regardless of the mechanism, this reaction is highly regioselective and undoubtedly has synthetic value as a high yield route to polyfluoroalkyldisulfides. 

Although this work probably does not cover all the details of the developments in electrophilic chemistry of fluoroolefins, it has nevertheless attempted to provide a strategic overview in this area, hoping that chemists working on related subjects should be able to find answers to basic questions associated with reaction conditions, types of electrophiles, reactivity of olefins and orientation of addition. We also wish to acknowledge the tremendous work accomplished in the last 30 years in the area of electrophilic reactions of fluoroolefins that has made this review possible. 

Belen kii GG, German LS (1984) New Reactions of Electrophilic Additions to Fluoroolefins. In Volpin ME (ed) Soviet Scientific Rev/Sec B. Chemistry Reviews. HarwoodAcademic Publishers GmbH, New York, vol 5, pi83... 

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