The room temperature preparation of the 1-chloro-2,2-difluorovinylzinc reagent from HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl). The first ambient, high yield, one-flask preparation of α-chloro-β,β-difluorostyrenes

The reaction of LDA (2.0 equiv.) with a THF solution of ZnCl2 (1.0 equiv.) and HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl) (1.0 equiv.) at 15–20°C gives a 91% yield of [F2CCClZnCl]. Addition of ArI and Pd(PPh3)4 at rt to 65°C gives 65–85% isolated yields of ArCClCF2. This one-flask procedure provides the first room temperature generation of the 1-chloro-2,2-difluorovinylzinc reagent and the first high yield preparation of α-chloro-β,β-difluorostyrenes from a cheap, readily available industrial precursor.