Nucleophilic chain substitution on perfluoroketene dithioacetals by ethyl 2-trimethysilyl acetate. Application to the synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl succinic acid derivatives

A highly efficient substitution of the vinyl fluoride of perfluoroketene dithioacetals was achieved using trimethylsilylacetate to give 2-perfluoroalkyl succinic acid derivatives and 2-trifluoromethyl succinimides. This chain process was initiated by a catalytic amount of fluoride salt, whereas reaction failed with the corresponding lithium enolate.