Synthesis and hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of (E)-α-perfluoroalkanesulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones

Catalyzed by ammonium acetate, the Knoevenagel reactions of β-keto perfluoroalkanesulfones 1 with aromatic aldehydes 2 afforded α-perfluoroalkanesulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 in moderate to good yields. The possible mechanism for the reactions was proposed. These fluorine-containing α,β-unsaturated ketones, which are electron-poor 1-oxa-1,3-butadienes, could be used in inverse electron demand hetero Diels–Alder (HDA) reaction with electron-rich olefins to give tetrasubstituted dihydropyrans 6 in quantitative yields.