Chemoselective Synthesis of α-Halo- α,α -difluoromethyl Ketones from Trimethyl(phenylethynyl)silane.

Here, we describe a novel strategy for chemoselective synthesis of α-halo- α,α -difluoromethyl ketones (-COCF 3 and -COClCF 2 motifs) from trimethyl(phenylethynyl)silane under catalyst-free and mild conditions. Commercially available Selectfluor or additional NaCl as halogen reagent was employed to complete this transformation, thereby demonstrating the potential synthetic value of this new reaction in organic synthesis.