Reactions of tetrafluoroethene oligomers. Part 16. The synthesis and reactions of perfluoro[2,3-dimethyl-2-(3-methylpentan-3-yl)]-2H-azirine: a source of 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)aziridine derivatives

The reaction of perfluoro(4-ethyl-3,4-dimethylhex-2-ene) (TFE pentamer) with sodium azide in acetonitrile afforded perfluoro[2,3-dimethyl-2-(3-methylpentan-3-yl)]-2H-azirine as a stable distillable liquid. The azirine reacted slowly with nucleophiles to give a series of substituted 2,3-bis-(trifluoromethyl)aziridines. A rationale of this somewhat unexpected reaction is suggested.