Abstract: General methodology is described for the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in which one of the methylene groups between cis double bonds is replaced by a CF2 group. This is exemplified by the preparation of 7, 7-, 10, 10-, and 13, 13-difluoroarachidonic acids 22, Ma, and 30, respectively. Crucial to the synthesis is the preparation of the fluorodiacetylenic system 7 by a chain reaction involving an acetylenic anion containing ...
