Synthesis and Properties of the Strained Alkene Perfluorobicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1(4)-ene

The title fluoroalkene has been generated by dehalogenation of dibromide and diiodide precursors and trapped in situ. retro-Diels–Alder reaction of its adduct with N-benzylpyrrole has made the alkene available in high yield and purity. In sharp contrast to its extremely labile hydrocarbon counterpart, the fluoroalkene is very stable yet highly reactive. Its characterization includes its electron affinity, photoelectron spectrum, and the previously reported structure determination by electron diffraction.