Reactions of trifluoromethyl ketones. IX. Investigation of the steric effect of a trifluoromethyl group based on the stereochemistry on the dehydration of trifluoromethyl homoallyl alcohols

Abstract In a previous paper we reported that a trifluoromethyl group behaves as a larger substituent than a butyl or a phenyl group and slightly larger than a sec -butyl group in ene reactions of trifluoromethyl carbonyl compounds. Dehydration of trifluoromethyl homoallyl alcohols, which are obtained by the ene reaction of trifluoromethyl ketones, has now been extensively investigated to compare further the steric effect of a trifluoromethyl group with those of other substituents. A trifluoromethyl group behaves as a substituent as large as a cyclohexyl group and a little smaller than a sec -butyl group. Differences between steric effects in the ene reaction and in the dehydration are discussed.