Fluorination of alkylidenecyclopropanes and alkylidenecyclobutanes: divergent synthesis of fluorinated cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes.

A divergent fluorination of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) and alkylidenecyclobutanes (ACBs) with selectfluor has been achieved. Four different types of products including fluorohydrins, fluoroethers, fluoroesters and fluoroketones could be prepared in moderate to excellent yields. In particular, the cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes were not destroyed during the transformations which involved a radical pathway. The applicability of this method was demonstrated by various transformations of the products.