Transesterification of Dialkyl Carbonates with 2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoropropan-1-ol

Transesterification of dialkyl carbonates with 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropan-1-ol in the presence of various bases leads to the formation of mixtures of bis(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate and alkyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl carbonate. The best catalyst for the synthesis of alkyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl carbonates was found to be tetramethylammonium hydroxide which ensured 81% selectivity for methyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl carbonate, the conversion of dimethyl carbonate being 50%. Lithium alkoxides showed a comparable catalytic efficiency.