Solvent dependence of the synthesis and reactions of acetyl hypofluorite

Abstract

Acetyl hypofluorite (AcOF) has been previously prepared using CFCl 3 (CFC-11) as a solvent. It was found that acetonitrile can replace trichlorofluoromethane without sacrificing the efficiency and the regio- and stereo-selectivity of the addition of AcOF to olefins. Most other solvents tested proved to be inadequate for the synthesis of AcOF, despite the fact that fluorine does react with the dispersed sodium acetate present in the solvent.