Fluorination of α-bromomethyl aryl ketones with fluorohydrogenate-based ionic liquids

Abstract

Abstract Fluorination of α-bromomethyl aryl ketones using fluorohydrogenate-based ionic liquids as fluorinating reagent is described. Reaction of various α-bromomethyl aryl ketones (1a-g) with fluorohydrogenate-based ionic liquids such as EMIMF·(HF)2.3, PYR13F·(HF)2.3 or PYR14F·(HF)2.3 as a fluoride ion source in anhydrous THF led to the formation of the corresponding α-fluoromethyl aryl ketones (2a–g) in very good yield. Compared to alternative fluorinating agents for this reaction, fluorohydrogenate-based ionic liquids are safer to handle and have the potential to be less expensive and more selective.