Stereospecific mono- and difluorination of the C7-bridge of norbornenes

Fluorinated norbornenes are very desirable monomers in the semiconductor and high-temperature polyimide industries. We describe herein a synthetic strategy for the stereospecific mono- or difluorination of the C7-carbon in norbornene systems beginning with 7-ketonadic anhydride 1. In particular, anti-7-fluoro methyl diester 4 and its 7,7-difluoronadic analog 7 can be prepared from 1 in 3 or 4 steps: saponification, reduction (for 4), esterification, fluorination with DAST. In addition, anti-7-fluoro-syn-7-fluoromethylnadic diester 16 is obtained from epoxide 14, and dimethyl 7,7-difluorobicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylate (17) from ketone 15. Anchimeric assistance of the norbornene double bond guides the introduction of attacking fluoride anions stereospecifically anti to the olefinic linkage.