Scope and limitations of the Julia–Kocienski reaction with fluorinated sulfonylesters

The study of the Julia–Kocienski reaction between fluorinated arylsulfone and ketones is described. The corresponding fluoroalkenes were isolated in moderate to good yields from β- and δ-substituted cyclic ketones. From acyclic ketones and α-substituted cyclic ketones a decarbethoxylation reaction of the sulfonylesters occurred. This decarbethoxylation reaction opened a new route for the preparation of a variety of fluoroalkylsulfones as potential building blocks for the preparation of fluoroalkenes.