Catalyst free synthesis of α-fluoro-β-hydroxy ketones/α-fluoro-ynols via electrophilic fluorination of tertiary propargyl alcohols using Selectfluor™ (F-TEDA-BF4).

A facile method for the synthesis of α-fluoro-β-hydroxy ketones/α-fluoro-ynols from tertiary propargyl alcohols under electrophilic fluorination conditions using F-TEDA-BF4 has been presented. The products bear pharmaceutically important α-fluoro ketone, gem-diaryl and fluorohydrin moieties in the same molecule. Interestingly, this catalyst free protocol results in monofluorination.