Reaction of 3-carene with perfluoroalkanoic acids

The addition of perfluoroalkanoic acids to 3-carene involves opening of the cyclopropane ring at the peripheral bonds with formation of a mixture of isomeric p-menth-1-en-8-yl and m-menth-1-en-8-yl perfluoroalkanoates. The reaction rate decreases as the length of the perfluoroalkyl radical of the acid increases. Trichloroacetic acid reacted with 3-carene at a lower rate than does trifluoroacetic acid, but the products are analogous p-menth-1-en-8-yl and m-menth-1-en-8-yl trichloroacetates.