A new finding in selective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of α-fluorinated ketones; a new and practical route for the synthesis of α-fluorinated esters

α-Fluorinated esters were effectively prepared by the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of α-fluorinated ketones with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) under mild conditions. The yield of the esters was influenced by the choice of solvent, base, and substituent on the aryl group of the ketones. 4-Methoxyphenyl substituted fluoroketones were oxidized almost quantitatively with m-CPBA within 10 min to 12 h at room temperature using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as a cosolvent with CH2Cl2 (1:1, v/v) and aqueous buffer (KH2PO4–NaOH, pH 7.6) as an additive base. The oxidation reaction rates of α-fluorinated ketones were higher than those of the corresponding non-fluorinated ketones. The fluorine atom at α-position of fluoromethyl aryl ketones enhanced the reactivity in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation.