New Methodology for the Synthesis of α,α-difluoroketones

Abstract

A new methodology is described for the synthesis of α,α-difluorinated ketones by the addition of organolithium reagents to α,α-difluoro-N-methoxy-N-methyl amides (Weinreb amides).

Keywords:

• α,α-Difluoroketones
• α,α-Difluoro-N-methoxy-N-methyl amides
• Pyruvic acid

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Drs. Arthur Taveras, T. K. Sasikumar, Robert Aslanian, and John Piwinski from Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI). We also thank the NMR and mass spectral groups of SPRI for spectral data.