Decarboxylative aldol reaction of α,α-difluoro-β-ketocarboxylate salt: a facile method for generation of difluoroenolate.

We developed a decarboxylative aldol reaction using α,α-difluoro-β-ketocarboxylate salt, carbonyl compounds, and ZnCl2/N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine. The generation of difluoroenolate proceeded smoothly under mild heating to provide α,α-difluoro-β-hydroxy ketones in good to excellent yield (up to 99%). The α,α-difluoro-β-ketocarboxylate salt was bench stable and easy to handle under air, which realizes a convenient and environmentally friendly methodology for synthesis of difluoromethylene compounds.