# Fluorohydrin Synthesis via Formal C–H Fluorination of Cyclic Alcohols

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to create fluorohydrins by replacing hydrogen with fluorine in cyclic alcohols using Selectfluor.

## Contribution

The novel approach enables direct synthesis of fluorohydrins via formal C–H fluorination of cyclic alcohols.

## Key findings

- Fluorohydrins are synthesized from 5- to 8-membered cyclic alcohols using Selectfluor.
- Mechanistic studies suggest an ionic elimination-hydroxyfluorination cascade via an alkene intermediate.

## Abstract

Installation of C–F
bonds, particularly at the
expense of
C–H bonds, is of exceptional importance in the development
of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials. Toward
introducing this moiety, here we show that cyclic fluorohydrins can
be directly generated via formal C–H fluorination of 5-, 6-,
7-, and 8-membered cyclic alcohols using Selectfluor. Mechanistic
studies are consistent with fluorohydrin formation via an ionic elimination-hydroxyfluorination
cascade proceeding through an alkene intermediate.