SYNTHETIC UTILITY OF A FLUORINE-FACILITATED CLAISEN REARRANGEMENT: A NOVEL SYNTHETIC METHOD FOR 2,4-ALKADIENOIC ACIDS USING 2,2,2-TRIFLUOROETHYL PHENYL SULFOXIDE

Abstract
A novel synthetic method for 2,4-alkadienoic acids from allylic alcohols and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl phenyl sulfoxide is described which involves the in situ Claisen rearrangement facilitated by the fluorine. This method was applied to the stereocontrolled synthesis of pellitorine, a natural insecticide.