Unexpected selective monoadduct formation from 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol and α,ω-diiodoperfluorobutane

Radical chain addition of alpha,omega-diiodoperfluorobutane to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol has been studied. The Huang sulfinatodehalogenation system, used as initiator, gave satisfactory conversion yields of the starting diiodide when compared to more classical initiators (AIBN, Fe, triethylborane). Addition to the alkenol yields classically the bis-adduct with variable amounts of the monoadduct. On the contrary the alkynol leads exclusively to the monoadduct formation, in high yield. Some considerations are proposed for interpreting this result. The monoadduct selectively obtained constitutes a powerful intermediate for synthesis. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.