Addition of Nucleophiles to Fluorinated Michael Acceptors

2-Fluoroenones via an Umpolung Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction of Enones

Several methods have been reported for the formation of 2-fluoroenones. However, all these methods involve laborious multiple-step sequences with resulting low overall yields. In this paper, we report the first formal enone-α-H to F substitution, leading to 2-fluoroenones in a single step from ubiquitous enones in 63-90% yield. The reaction is applicable to a wide range of aromatic and alkenyl enones and is carried out at room temperature using HF-pyridine complex as the fluoride source. Mechanistic investigations support that the reaction takes place through a rare umpolung Morita-Baylis-Hillman-type mechanism.

Organocatalyzed Sulfa-Michael Addition of Thiophenols on Trisubstituted α-Fluoroacrylates, a Straightforward Access to Chiral Fluorinated Compounds

In this manuscript, a simple and efficient sulfa-Michael addition reaction of aryl thiols to trisubstituted α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters both in racemic and, for the first time, in enantioselective version is reported. The commercially available dimer of cinchona derivatives (DHQ)₂PYR was used as a catalyst. This strategy showed a great tolerance for various substrates and substituents, providing fair to excellent yields, moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities (2:1 to >99:1), and low to good enantioselectivities (2 to 87%). The reaction has been applied to the synthesis of fluorinated analogues of diltiazem and tiazesim, both therapeutic agents.