One-Pot 1,1-Dihydrofluoroalkylation of Amines Using Sulfuryl Fluoride

Sulfuryl fluoride, SO2F2, has been known and used as a fumigant for over 50 years but it has only recently gained widespread interest as a reagent for organic synthesis. Herein we report a novel application of sulfuryl fluoride gas in a new 1,1-dihydrofluoroalkylation reaction, which simply involves bubbling SO2F2 through a solution of amine, 1,1-dihydrofluoroalcohol, and diisopropylethylamine. The reaction is successful for a wide range of primary and secondary amines, as well as several 1,1-dihydrofluoroalcohols, to afford the 1,1-dihydrofluoroalkylated amines in 42% to 80% isolated yields. The reaction also displays excellent functional group tolerance. The ease of the one-pot activation and alkylation, combined with the wide substrate scope make this new procedure an attractive alternative to existing 1,1-dihydrofluoroalkylation methodologies.