A new synthesis of non-racemic halothane (1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2, 2-trif
luoroethane) is reported. The stereospecificity of the key reaction, d
ecarboxylation of a salt of optically enriched 1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-
trinuoropropionic acid to give halothane, is shown to be highly depend
ent on the nature of the cation. When the cation is trialkylammonium,
a high level of stereospeciticity is observed. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, In
c.