Assessment of fluoroalkyltin compounds as fluorous Lewis acid catalysts

The synthesis of a variety of organotin compounds with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H‐perfluorooctyl groups is reported, together with an improved method for the corresponding distannoxane. Unique properties of this compound are disclosed in terms of fluorophilicity and activity as a Lewis acid catalyst in comparison with other mono‐nuclear derivatives. A new criterion for obtaining high solubility in fluorocarbon solvents is presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.