The Trifluoromethyl Anion.

First evidence for the existence of free trifluoromethyl anion CF3 (-) has been obtained. The 3D-caged potassium cation in [K(crypt-222)](+) is inaccessible to CF3 (-) , thus rendering it uncoordinated ("naked"). Ionic [K(crypt-222)](+) CF3 (-) has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, solution NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and reactivity toward electrophiles.

Ruthenium-catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination of halobenzenes.

The first π-coordination-catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination of unactivated aryl halides has been demonstrated. Chlorobenzene reacts with alkali metal fluorides (CsF, KF) in the presence of a Cp*Ru catalyst at 120-180 °C to give fluorobenzene.

Exceedingly Facile Ph-X Activation (X = Cl, Br, I) with Ruthenium(II): Arresting Kinetics, Autocatalysis, and Mechanisms.

[(Ph3P)3Ru(L)(H)2] (where L = H2 (1) in the presence of styrene, Ph3P (3), and N2 (4)) cleave the Ph-X bond (X = Cl, Br, I) at RT to give [(Ph3P)3RuH(X)] (2) and PhH. A combined experimental and DFT study points to [(Ph3P)3Ru(H)2] as the reactive species generated upon spontaneous loss of L from 3 and 4. The reaction of 3 with excess PhI displays striking kinetics which initially appears zeroth order in Ru.

Well-defined CuC2F5 complexes and pentafluoroethylation of acid chlorides.

Four new well-defined Cu(I) complexes bearing a C2 F5 ligand have been prepared and fully characterized: [(Ph3 P)2 CuC2 F5 ] (2), [(bpy)CuC2 F5 ] (3), [(Ph3 P)Cu(phen)C2 F5 ] (4), and [(IPr*)CuC2 F5 ] (5). X-ray structures of all four have been determined, showing that the C2 F5 -ligated Cu atom can be di- (5), tri- (2 and 3), and tetracoordinate (4). The mixed phen-PPh3 complex 4 is a highly efficient fluoroalkylating agent for a broad variety of acid chlorides.

Easy access to the copper(III) anion [Cu(CF3 )4 ](-).

CuCl or pre-generated CuCF3 reacts with CF3 SiMe3 /KF in DMF in air to give [Cu(CF3 )4 ](-) quantitatively. [PPN](+) , [Me4 N](+) , [Bu4 N](+) , [PhCH2 NEt3 ](+) , and [Ph4 P](+) salts of [Cu(CF3 )4 ](-) were prepared and isolated spectroscopically and analytically pure in 82-99% yield. X-ray structures of the [PPN](+) , [Me4 N](+) , [Bu4 N](+) , and [Ph4 P](+) salts were determined.

Distinct mechanism of oxidative trifluoromethylation with a well-defined Cu(II) fluoride promoter: hidden catalysis.

The fluoride [(bpy)CuF2(H2O)]·2H2O (1) reacts with CF3SiMe3 and PhB(OH)2 in DMF at rt to give PhCF3 in >95% yield within 15 min. Although 1 is a Cu(II) complex, this reaction occurs only in air; no Ph-CF3 coupling takes place under anaerobic conditions. A distinct mechanism is operational in this transformation.

Mechanism of trifluoromethylation of aryl halides with CuCF3 and the ortho effect.

A combined experimental (radical clock, kinetic, Hammett) and computational (DFT, MM) study of the trifluoromethylation reaction of aryl halides with CuCF3 reveals a nonradical mechanism involving Ar-X oxidative addition to the Cu(I) center as the rate determining step. The reaction is second order, first order in each reactant with ΔG(⧧) ≈ 24 kcal/mol for PhI (computed ΔG(⧧) = 21.9 kcal/mol).

Trifluoromethylation of arenediazonium salts with fluoroform-derived CuCF3 in aqueous media.

A new protocol has been developed for trifluoromethylation of arenediazonium salts with moisture-sensitive CuCF3 (from fluoroform) in aqueous media. The reaction is governed by a radical mechanism, tolerates a broad variety of functional groups, and is applicable to the synthesis of complex, polyfunctionalized molecules.

Nucleophile-catalyzed, facile, and highly selective C-H activation of fluoroform with Pd(II).

Exceedingly facile (23 °C) and chemoselective H-CF3 activation with [(dppp)Pd(Ph)(OH)] in the presence of a Lewis base promoter such as n-Bu3P leads to Pd-CF3 bond formation in nearly quantitative yield. A combined experimental and computational study points to a new mechanism that involves H-bonding Pd-O(H)···H-CF3 and nucleophilic attack of the promoter on the metal, followed by a push-pull-type collapse of the resultant five-coordinate Pd(II) intermediate via a polar transition state.

The critical effect of the countercation in the direct cupration of fluoroform with [Cu(OR)2 ](-).

Just a spectator or a key player? The alkali-metal counterion (K(+) ) plays a remarkable key role in the recently discovered cupration reaction of fluoroform with dialkoxycuprates. A total of eight Lewis acid and Lewis base centers synergistically interacting with one another arrange in a stable transition state, providing a low-energy pathway for this unique transformation.

Trifluoromethylation of aryl and heteroaryl halides with fluoroform-derived CuCF3: scope, limitations, and mechanistic features.

Fluoroform-derived CuCF3 recently discovered in our group exhibits remarkably high reactivity toward aryl and heteroaryl halides, performing best in the absence of extra ligands. A broad variety of iodoarenes undergo smooth trifluoromethylation with the "ligandless" CuCF3 at 23-50 °C to give the corresponding benzotrifluorides in nearly quantitative yield. A number of much less reactive aromatic bromides also have been trifluoromethylated, including pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, and thiazole derivatives as well as aryl bromides bearing electron-withdrawing groups and/or ortho substituents.

Cupration of C2F5H: isolation, structure, and synthetic applications of [K(DMF)2][(t-BuO)Cu(C2F5)]. Highly efficient pentafluoroethylation of unactivated aryl bromides.

Pentafluoroethane, C2F5H (HFC-125), is smoothly cuprated with preisolated or in situ-generated [K(DMF)][(t-BuO)2Cu] to give [K(DMF)2][(t-BuO)Cu(C2F5)] (1) in nearly quantitative yield. Complex 1 has been isolated, structurally characterized, and demonstrated to be an exceedingly versatile pentafluoroethylating reagent for a variety of substrates, including unactivated aryl bromides.

Trifluoromethylation of α-haloketones.

The C-X bond (X = Br, Cl) of α-haloketones is smoothly trifluoromethylated with the fluoroform-derived CuCF(3) reagent recently developed in our laboratories. This is the first nucleophilic α-trifluoromethylation reaction of carbonyl compounds and a rare example of CF(3)-C(sp(3)) coupling. The transformation employs only low-cost chemicals and cleanly occurs in up to 99% yield at room temperature, thereby providing an unprecedentedly easy entry to valuable 2,2,2-trifluoroethylketones.

Biomass conversion to high value chemicals: from furfural to chiral hydrofuroins in two steps.

Catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of rac-furoin and furil produces hydrofuroin with up to 99% ee and 9:1 dr. This reaction provides an exceptionally easy access to optically active hydrofuroins in two straightforward steps from biomass-derived furfural (global production 200,000-300,000 t annually) using benzoin condensation.

Fluoroform-derived CuCF3 for low-cost, simple, efficient, and safe trifluoromethylation of aryl boronic acids in air.

Easy does it: Aryl boronic acids undergo smooth and selective trifluoromethylation with low-cost fluoroform-derived CuCF(3) in DMF in non-dried air. The reaction occurs under mild conditions (1 atm, room temperature), exhibits unprecedented functional-group tolerance, and affords trifluoromethylated aromatic compounds in up to 99 % yield.

Direct cupration of fluoroform.

We have found the first reaction of direct cupration of fluoroform, the most attractive CF(3) source for the introduction of the trifluoromethyl group into organic molecules. Treatment of CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) with 2 equiv of MOR (M = K, Na) in DMF or NMP produces novel alkoxycuprates that readily react with CF(3)H at room temperature and atmospheric pressure to give CuCF(3) derivatives. The CuCl and t-BuOK (1:2) combination provides best results, furnishing the CuCF(3) product within seconds in nearly quantitative yield.

Rational catalysis design on the basis of mechanistic understanding: highly efficient Pd-catalyzed cyanation of aryl bromides with NaCN in recyclable solvents.

Rational catalysis design on the basis of a detailed mechanistic understanding has been used to successfully develop the first efficient general Pd-catalyzed aromatic cyanation reaction under the highly sought after practicable conditions: (i) MCN (M = Na or K) as a cyanide source; (ii) low-boiling recyclable solvents; and (iii) minimal quantities of inexpensive, nontoxic promoters. The developed catalytic reaction converts aromatic bromides to the corresponding nitriles in 88-99% isolated yield with NaCN and 0.5-1.

Fluxionality of [(Ph3P)3M(X)] (M = Rh, Ir). The red and orange forms of [(Ph3P)3Ir(Cl)]. Which phosphine dissociates faster from Wilkinson's catalyst?

NMR studies of intramolecular exchange in [(Ph(3)P)(3)Rh(X)] (X = CF(3), CH(3), H, Ph, Cl) have produced full sets of activation parameters for X = CH(3) (E(a) = 16.4 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1), DeltaH(double dagger) = 16.

The organometallic fluorine chemistry of palladium and rhodium: studies toward aromatic fluorination.

Although springing from two established fields, organometallic chemistry and fluorine chemistry, organometallic fluorine chemistry is still in its early stages. However, developments in this area are expected to provide new tools for the synthesis of selectively fluorinated organic compounds that have been in high demand. Selectively fluorinated organic molecules currently account for up to 40% of all agrochemicals and 20% of all pharmaceuticals on the market.

Fluxionality of [(Ph3P)3Rh(X)]: the extreme case of X = CF3.

[(Ph(3)P)(3)Rh(F)] reacts with CF(3)SiMe(3) to produce trans-[(Ph(3)P)(2)Rh(CF(2))(F)] (1; X-ray), which is equilibrated with a number of species in solution. Addition of excess Ph(3)P shifts all of the equilibria to [(Ph(3)P)(3)Rh(CF(3))] (2; X-ray) as the only NMR-observable and isolable (84%) species. Complex 2 is uniquely highly fluxional in solution, maintaining ligand exchange even at -100 degrees C (12.

trans-Difluoro complexes of palladium(II).

Complexes trans-[(Py)(2)Pd(Ph)(F)] (1; Py = pyridine) and trans-[(t-BuPy)(2)Pd(Ph)(F)] (2; t-BuPy = 4-tert-butylpyridine) have been prepared from the corresponding iodides and AgF. Thermal decomposition of 1 and 2 in anhydrous benzene at 80 degrees C did not result in C-F bond formation, but Pd black and Ph(2) were produced instead, along with novel difluorides trans-[(Py)(2)Pd(F)(2)] (3) and trans-[(t-BuPy)(2)Pd(F)(2)] (4). Both 3 and 4, the first trans-difluoro d(8) square complexes, were independently synthesized from the corresponding diiodides and AgF and fully characterized.

Mechanisms of catalyst poisoning in palladium-catalyzed cyanation of haloarenes. remarkably facile C-N bond activation in the [(Ph3P)4Pd]/[Bu4N]+ CN- system.

Reaction paths leading to palladium catalyst deactivation during cyanation of haloarenes (eq 1) have been identified and studied. Each key step of the catalytic loop (Scheme 1) can be disrupted by excess cyanide, including ArX oxidative addition, X/CN exchange, and ArCN reductive elimination. The catalytic reaction is terminated via the facile formation of inactive [(CN)4Pd]2-, [(CN)3PdH]2-, and [(CN)3PdAr]2-.