1-trifluoromethylvinylsilane as a CF2=C(-)-CH2+ synthon: synthesis of functionalized 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes via isolable 2,2-difluorovinylsilanes

Various 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes such as monosubstituted 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes, 2-bromo-1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes, and 3,3-difluoroallylic alcohols are synthesized in two simple steps from 1-trifluoromethylvinylsilane: (i) its SN2' reaction with nucleophiles to construct 2,2-difluorovinylsilanes and (ii) the subsequent substitution of electrophiles for the vinylic silyl group. The combination of these two processes allows a one-pot synthesis of the functionalized 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes starting from 1-trifluoromethylvinylsilane, which functions as a CF2=C(-)-CH2+ synthon.