This invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,1-difluoroolefins,
e.g., difluorovinyl cycloaliphatic compounds such as difluorovinylcyclohexane and
derivatives by the dehydrofluorination of a trifluoromethyl-substituted cycloaliphatic
compound and the resulting compositions. This method utilizes a "sterically hindered
super-base" system represented by the formula M+-NRR-; where
M is Na or K and R is a secondary, or tertiary alkyl or cycloalkyl group of amines
for effecting dehydrofluorination of the trifluoromethyl group leading to the difluorovinyl
based cycloaliphatic compounds. The sterically hindered super base can be formed
by the, in situ, reaction of a sodium or potassium alkoxide, e.g., KtBuO with a
lithium dialkylamide where the lithium is bonded to nitrogen atom of an amine bearing
secondary or tertiary aliphatic groups.