Compounds of formula ##STR1## where n is an integer from 1 to 12, R and R.sub.1 are the same or different and are hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl as well as their physiologically active salts and amides thereof and the enantiomers, mixtures and racemates are disclosed. Intermediates useful in preparing the above compounds are also disclosed as are processes for preparing these compounds.
A process which comprises reacting under substantially anhydrous conditions a perfluoroalkyltrihydrocarbylsilane and a carbonyl compound in the presence of a catalyst such that the carbonyl compound is perfluoroalkylated.
Quinones may be perfluoroalkylated by means of perfluoroalkyltrihydrocarbyl silane using trialkylphosphites or hexahydrocarbylphosphorous triamides, or both as catalysts. The reaction --which is conducted under essentially anhydrous conditions, preferably in a suitable liquid phase reaction medium, most preferably a dipolar aprotic solvent--results in the formation of gem-disubstituted cyclohexadienones in which the gem substituents are a perfluoroalkyl group and a trihydrocarbylsiloxy group. These gem-disubstituted compounds in turn can be readily converted to perfluoroalkyl substituted aromatics, thus circumventing the traditional need for photochlorination followed by halogen exchange using hydrogen fluoride as a means of preparing perfluoroalkyl aromatic compounds.