Synthesis of 2-trifluoromethoxyethyl trifluoromethoxyacetate and derived 2-trifluoromethoxyacrylates

The synthesis of 2-trifluoromethoxyethyl trifluoromethoxyacetate 2 by oxidation of bis(2-trifluoromethoxyethyl)ether 1 followed by its anionic condensation with aldehydes, ketones and immonium salts under mild conditions, and further dehydration or deamination, enabled the preparation of 3-aryl and 3-alkyl-2-trifluoromethoxacrylates 8a–e as well as the parent 2-trifluoromethoxyacrylate 8f.