Fluorohalogeno compounds. I. The grignard reaction of some fluorohalogenoethanes

An extension of the scope of the Grignard reaction of fluorinated compounds is reported. Fluorohalogenoethanes of the general formula CF₃CXYZ ( X = F,Cl,Br ; Y,Z = Cl,Br ) were found to undergo smoothly the metal-halogen exchange reaction with alkyl- or aryl-magnesium halides at low temperature to yield organometallic compounds CF₃CXYMgHal. The Grignard compounds were reacted with a series of aldehydes and ketones to give the corresponding alcohols in good to moderate preparative yields.