Deoxyfluorination of alcohols using N,N-diethyl-α,α-difluoro-(m-methylbenzyl)amine

Deoxyfluorination of alcohols was carried out using N,N-diethyl-α,α-difluoro-(m-methylbenzyl)amine (DFMBA). Primary alcohols were effectively converted to fluorides under microwave irradiation or conventional heating. Deoxyfluorination of an anomeric hydroxy group in sugars by DFMBA proceeded at below room temperature and glycosyl fluorides could be obtained in good yields. The deoxyfluorination reaction chemoselectively proceeded and various protecting groups on the sugar can survive under the reaction conditions.