Silver compounds in synthetic chemistry: Part 5: Selective syntheses of trifluoromethylketones, RCOCF3, from trifluoromethylsilver, AgCF3, and corresponding acyl chlorides, RCOCl

Trifluoromethylketones of aromatics, heteroaromatics and olefins are formed selectively from reactions of trifluoromethylsilver and the corresponding carboxylic acid chlorides in moderate to excellent yields. The conditions chosen are dependent on the nature of the acyl chloride. Attempts to prepare alkyl(trifluoromethyl)ketones yielded product mixtures of the corresponding acyl fluorides, trifluoromethyl-, pentafluoroethyl- and n-heptafluoropropyl ketones.