Addition of the organolithium reagent generated from 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-2-iodoethane (II) and MeLi稬iBr complex to the known ketone (I) furnished the pentafluoroethyl carbinol (III). Acid treatment of (III) with H2SO4 in methanol then removed both acetal protecting groups with concomitant dehydration of the 5-hydroxyl group to yield the title compound.