Fluorodesulfurization of β,β-bis(methylthio)-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Synthesis of β,β-difluoro-β-(methylthio) carbonyl compounds

β,β-Bis(methylthio)vinyl carbonyl compounds (1) reacted with pyridine–6HF and Hg(OCOCF3)2 to give β,β-difluoro-β-(methylthio) carbonyl compounds (2) in good yield.