Abstract

Wacker oxidation reaction of terminal olefins bearing one or two fluorine atoms at a homoallylic position led to a ratio aldehyde/methyl ketone much higher than that observed with their non-fluorinated analogues. This regioselectivity can be ascribed to a specific interaction between fluorine atoms and palladium, or to a peculiar influence of the halogens on the double bond.

Keywords: wacker reaction, palladium, fluorine, regioselectivity