Activation reactions of 1,1-dialkoxoalkanes and unsaturated O-donors by titanium tetrafluoride

The reactivity of TiF4 with a variety of non cyclic 1,1-dialkoxoalkanes [CH2(OR)(2), R = Me, Et, Me2C(OMe)(2), MeCH(OEt)(2), ClCH2CH(OEt)(2), CH(OMe)(3), PhC CCH(OEt)(2)], 1,3-dioxolane, N2CHCO2Et and 1,2-epoxybutane has been investigated. Activation, including fragmentation and/or rearrangement of the organic moiety, has been observed at room temperature in some cases; it generally occurs unselectively via C-O bond fission and the formation of new C-O, C-H and C-C bonds. Small differences in the structure of the organic substrate may determine significant differences in the reactivity with TiF4.