Flobufen, ',4'-difluorobiphenyl-4-y1)-2-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid, and
its 3-methyl isomer have been obtained by the Friedel-Crafts reaction
of 2,4-difluorobiphenyl with itaconic or citraconic anhydride, respec
tively, followed by hydrogenation of the products. The structures of b
oth compounds have been elucidated by mass spectrometry and H-1, C-13
and F-19 NMR spectroscopy. The structure of flobufen has been confirme
d by a single-crystal X-ray study.