Synthesis and chemical transformations of diazolyl alpha,alpha-difluoroacetates

Optimized protocols for the synthesis of diazolyl alpha,alpha-difluoroacetates via deoxofluorination of the corresponding glyoxylates with Morph-DAST are described. The method allowed the preparation of the title fluoridated building blocks in 73-96 % yield on up to 15 g scale. Utility of the hetaryl alpha,alpha-difluoroacetates was demonstrated by the synthesis of advanced building blocks for medicinal chemistry, i.e. carboxylic acids, amides, nitriles, and alcohols.