Novel 1:1 adducts from the reaction of hexafluoroacetone azine with various olefins and 1,3-dienes; Diels-Alder adducts as intermediates in the formation of criss-cross 2:1 adducts

Hexafluoroacetone azine¹ (I) has been reported^2,3 to react thermally (160–180°) with electron-rich olefins of type H₂CCHR (R  H, Me, or Et) to give “criss-cross” (1,3-:4,2-) adducts (II). In contrast, cis- or trans-but-2-ene and cyclohexene react under comparable conditions to give nitrogen and products derived formally from addition and insertion reactions of bis(trifluoromethyl)-carbene, although it is doubtful if the free carbene is involved^2,4. The reaction of azine (I) with alkanes is reported⁵ to involve a radical mechanism in which the diazo compound (CF₃)₂CN₂, and thence the carbene (CF₃)₂C:, is formed by a secondary process.