Synthesis of 3,3,3-trifluoropropionic and 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-ketobutyric acids

Trifluoroethyl cyclohexyl ketone ($\text{4}$) is prepared by acylation of difluoroethylene ($\text{2}$) with cyclohexanecarboxylic acid chloride ($\text{1}$), followed by Cl→F exchange with potassium fluoride in the presence of triethylbenzyl- ammonium chloride. Bayer-Villiger oxidation of ketone ($\text{4}$) with trifluoroperacetic acid gives cyclohexyl trifluoropropionate ($\text{5}$). 3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid ($\text{6}$) is obtained by treatment of ($\text{5}$) with trimethylsilyl iodide. Condensation of 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane ($\text{7}$) with ethyl glyoxylate ($\text{8}$) gives mainly ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-ketobutyric acid ester ($\text{9}$) which leads after hydrolysis to the corresponding acid ($\text{12}$).