Facile synthesis of 1,1-gem-dialkylperfluoroalkylamines

Tertiary 1,1-gem-dialkylperfluoroalkylamines were prepared by treatment of perfluoroalkylcarboxamides with alkylcerium chlorides, generated from cerium chloride and alkyllithium or alkyl Grignard reagents. The products were easily isolated as the hydrochloride salts. Higher yields were obtained with alkyllithium than with alkyl Grignard reagents.