A One-Step Synthesis of gem-Difluoroolefins from Alcohols

Abstract The development of efficient protocols for the synthesis of gem-difluoroolefins has received increasing attention. Given the ubiquity of hydroxyl group in biologically active molecules and synthetic intermediates, we developed a one-step protocol for the conversions of alcohols into gem-difluoroolefins. The reactions of alcohols with Ph3P+CF2CO2-/Burgess reagent in DMSO occurred smoothly to afford the final products in moderate to high yields. DMSO is not only necessary for the oxidation process, but also important for the stabilization of phosphonium ylide by trapping difluorocarbene.