DIRECT FLUORINATION PROCESS FOR PREPARING HIGH PURITY 2-FLUORO-1,3-DICARBONYL COMPOUNDS USING OXYGEN AS A RADICAL SCAVANGER

摘要

A process for fluorinating .beta.-dicarbonyls to form the corresponding .alpha.-fluorinated- .beta.-dicarbonyl compounds is provided. The process is represented by the following reaction scheme: (see formula I) where R, is H, alkyl or alkoxy, R2 is H, alkyl or perfluoroalkyl, and R3 is H, Cl, Br, I or alkyl. Use of oxygen in the fluorine stream yields a product which is 90-96% pure and contains radical fluorination impurity levels which are 10-20% lower than wh en oxygen is not used.