Divergent, stereospecific mono‐ and difluoromethylation of boronic esters

There is considerable interest in incorporating fluorine into agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals to improve their biological properties. Whilst a number of methods have been reported for installing CH2 F and CHF2 groups, they are mainly limited to radical reactions, which are invariably racemic. Herein, we report the divergent, stereospecific reaction of fluoroiodomethyllithium with boronic esters to give alpha-fluoro-boronic esters. These unique intermediates can be readily transformed into the corresponding mono- or difluoromethylated compounds through proto- or fluorodeboronation, respectively. The use of the highly unstable fluoroiodomethyllithium was key to allowing rapid 1,2-migration over competing decomposition of the carbanion. DFT calculations informed and supported the experimental findings.