Synthesis of β-fluoroalkyl phenyl (or methyl) thioethers by sulfur-assisted halogen exchange with triethylamine tris-hydrofluoride

The exchange of chlorine in β-chloroalkyl phenyl (or methyl) thioethers by fluorine, with anchimeric assistance of sulfur, is very easily realized with the almost neutral fluorinating reagent, Et3N.3HF. The 'one-pot' reactions of alkenes with sulfenyl chlorides and subsequently with Et3N.3HF lead to the corresponding β-fluoroalkyl thioethers in high yields.