CATALYTIC REDUCTIVE HYDRODEFLUORINATION OF 1,1-DIFLUORONAPHTHALEN-2(1H)-ONE

An optimised method of 1,1-difluoronaphthalen-2(1H)-one hydrodefluorination leading to the formation of fluoronaphthol under mild conditions is proposed. The palladium-catalysed process is shown to involve carbonyl reduction followed by subsequent hydrogen fluoride elimination. The structure of the intermediate product and the effect of catalyst support material on hydrodefluorination selectivity have been determined.