TRANSFORMATIONS OF PERFLUOROXYLENES AND PERFLUORO-P-CYMENE UNDER THE ACTION OF ZN(CU)-DMF-H2O

Perfluorinated xylenes and perfluoro-para-cymene undergo hydrodefluori nation under the action of Zn(Cu)-DMF-H2O. Hydrogen enters mainly at t he benzyl position of para-dialkylbenzenes and at the para position to perfluoroalkyl groups of perfluorinated ortho- and meta-xylenes. The process presumably involves radical anions as intermediates. A product of perfluoro-4-methylbenzyl radical trapping by hexene-1 was obtained Quantum-chemical calculations of radical anions of the compounds unde r investigation have been carried out. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.