Difluorocarbene chemistry: synthesis of gem-difluorocyclopropenylalkynes and 3,3,3′,3′-tetrafluorobicyclopropyl-1,1′-dienes

A series of gem-difluorocyclopropenylalkynes are easily obtained in good yields by the Sonogashira reaction of 3,3-difluoro-1-iodocyclopropenes with terminal alkynes. Onto these new alkynes addition of difluorocarbene, generated from the decomposition of FSO₂CF₂COOTMS in diglme in the presence of 10 mol% anhydrous NaF at 120 °C, gives 3,3,3′,3′-tetrafluorobicyclopropyl-1,1′-dienes. Acid hydrolysis of gem-difluorocyclopropenylalkynes in refluxing CH₃OH affords the corresponding methoxycarbonylenynes.