Regioselective Synthesis of α‐Fluorinated Cyclopentenones by Organocatalytic Difluorocyclopropanation and Fluorine‐Directed and Fluorine‐Activated Nazarov Cyclization

Silyl dienol ethers, prepared from α,β-unsaturated ketones, underwent proton sponge-catalyzed difluorocyclopropanation with trimethylsilyl 2,2-difluoro-2-fluorosulfonylacetate in a regioselective manner, leading to 1,1-difluoro-2-siloxy-2-vinylcyclopropanes in good yields. The cyclopropanes thus obtained were in turn subjected to fluoride-ion-catalyzed ring opening to afford 1-fluorovinyl vinyl ketones (i.e., Nazarov precursors). Treatment of the precursors with Me3 Si+ B(OTf)4- regioselectively promoted the Nazarov cyclization, the rate and regioselectivity of which were drastically enhanced by the fluoro substituent, which thus facilitated efficient synthesis of biologically promising α-fluorocyclopentenone derivatives.