Recent developments in the use of fluorinated esters as activated intermediates in organic synthesis

Carboxylic acids are versatile synthetic building blocks; however, they often require activation in order to partake in a range of transformations. Activation through the formation of esters gives a characteristically less reactive intermediate in subsequent reactions compared to other related functionalities (e.g. acyl chlorides). Fluorinated ester functional groups offer the ability to significantly modulate the electronics of the system to allow for reactions to occur under mild conditions and hence offer new activation modes starting directly from carboxylic acids. This review highlights examples of this class of esters as promising synthetic handles and their use in further procedures from isolated forms or through in situ generation.