Solid-State Structure of a Li/F Carbenoid: Pentafluoroethyllithium

N-Heteroaromatic Fluoroalkylation through Ligand Coupling Reaction of Sulfones

Ligand coupling on hypervalent main group elements has emerged as a pivotal methodology for the synthesis of functionalized N-heteroaromatic compounds in recent years due to the avoidance of transition metals and the mildness of the reaction conditions. In this direction, the reaction of N-heteroaryl sulfur(IV) and N-heteroaryl phosphorus(V) compounds has been well studied. However, the ligand coupling of sulfur(VI) is still underdeveloped and the reaction of alkyl N-heteroarylsulfones is still elusive, which does not match the high status of sulfones as the chemical chameleons in organic synthesis. Here we present a ligand coupling-enabled formal SO2 extrusion of fluoroalkyl 2-azaheteroarylsulfones under the promotion of Grignard reagents, which not only enriches the chemistry of sulfones, but also provides a novel and practical synthetic tool towards N-heteroaromatic fluoroalkylation.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Trapping of a Cyclic Diborylcarbene, an Electrophilic Carbene

A carbene bearing two geminal boryl substituents, called diborylcarbene (DBC), has been predicted to be highly Lewis acidic in sharp contrast to the well-studied persistent carbenes stabilized by π-donating substituents. Studies on DBC have been limited to either the base-trapping or theoretical calculations. Herein, we developed chemical equivalents for DBC, namely, K/X-diborylcarbenoids 2_X (X = F or Cl). Treatment of 2_F with Al(C₆F₅)₃ yielded [AlF(C₆F₅)₃]^--stabilized DBC 1-FAl, which showed a significant low-field shift of the carbenoid carbon from 169 ppm (doublet, coupling with ¹⁹F) to 242 ppm (singlet). The loss of halogen was also detected through electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of 2_X only in the presence of Al(C₆F₅)₃. Generated DBC 1 from 1-FAl or 2_Cl was successfully trapped with excess amounts of trialkylphosphines (PR₃, R = Me or Et), which afforded the corresponding DBC-PR₃ adducts. In addition, the Lewis acidity of DBC 1 was evaluated both experimentally and theoretically to reveal that 1 is one of the most Lewis acidic species among neutral molecules.

Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)indate Salts

In the rising field of organoindium chemistry little is known about the perfluoroorganyl-substituted indium compounds. The increasing use of indium reagents is explained by their high stability and tolerance towards water and functional groups. Here we report on the synthesis of the novel tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)indate, [In(C₂ F₅ )₄ ]^- , and its characterization in salts with the cations [Li(thf)₃ ]⁺ , Cs⁺ , [PPh₄ ]⁺ and [H₁₄ O₆ ]²⁺ (thf=tetrahydrofuran). To the best of our knowledge, these salts constitute the first perfluoroalkylindates and, in general, the first isolated perfluoroalkylindium compounds which are fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Pentafluoroethylation of Carbonyl Compounds Using HFC-125 in a Flow Microreactor System

The protocol of micro-flow nucleophilic pentafluoroethylation using pentafluoroethane (HC₂F₅, HFC-125), a nontoxic, inexpensive, and commercially available greenhouse gas, is described. The micro-flow pentafluoroethylation by HFC-125 proceeded smoothly at room temperature or at -10 °C in DMF or toluene in the presence of a potassium base, namely, t-BuOK or KHMDS. A broad range of ketones, aldehydes, and chalcones with various substituted benzene rings were successfully converted to the corresponding pentafluoroethyl carbinols instantly with good to high yields.

Solvation Effects on the Structure and Stability of Alkali Metal Carbenoids

s‐Block metal carbenoids are carbene synthons and applied in a myriad of organic transformations. They exhibit a strong structure–activity relationship, but this is only poorly understood due to the challenging high reactivity and sensitivity of these reagents. Here, we report on systematic VT and DOSY NMR studies, XRD analyses as well as DFT calculations on a sulfoximinoyl‐substituted model system to explain the pronounced solvent dependency of the carbenoid stability. While the sodium and potassium chloride carbenoids showed high stabilities independent of the solvent, the lithium carbenoid was stable at room temperature in THF but decomposed at −10 °C in toluene. These divergent stabilities could be explained by the different structures formed in solution. In contrast to simple organolithium reagents, the monomeric THF‐solvate was found to be more stable than the dimer in toluene, since the latter more readily forms direct Li/Cl interactions which facilitate decomposition via α‐elimination.

Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate

While perfluorinated aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy aluminum species are well-established as weakly coordinating anions (WCAs), corresponding perfluoroalkyl aluminum derivatives are virtually unknown. Reaction of Si(C2 F5 )3 CH3 with Li[AlH4 ] afforded the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate, [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- . Several salts of the [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- ion were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction studies and elemental analysis.

Pentafluoroethylaluminates: A Combined Synthetic, Spectroscopic, and Structural Study

Salts of the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate anion [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- were obtained from AlCl3 and LiC2 F5 . They were isolated with different counter-cations and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Degradation of the [Al(C2 F5 )4 ]- ion was found to proceed via 1,2-fluorine shifts and stepwise loss of CF(CF3 ) under formation of [(C2 F5 )4-n AlFn ]- (n=1-4) as assessed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and supported by results of DFT calculations. In addition, the [(C2 F5 )AlF3 ]- ion was structurally characterized.

Generation and Applications of the Hydroxide Trihydrate Anion, [OH(OH2 )3 ]- , Stabilized by a Weakly Coordinating Cation

The reaction of a strongly basic phosphazene (Schwesinger base) with water afforded the corresponding metastable hydroxide trihydrate [OH(OH₂)₃]⁻ salt. This is the first hydroxide solvate that is not in contact with a cation and furthermore one of rare known water‐stabilized hydroxide anions. Thermolysis in vacuum results in the decomposition of the hydroxide salt and quantitative liberation of the free phosphazene base. This approach was used to synthesize the Schwesinger base from its hydrochloride salt after anion exchange in excellent yields of over 97 %. This deprotonation method can also be used for the phosphazene‐base‐catalyzed preparation of the Ruppert–Prakash reagent Me₃SiCF₃ using fluoroform (HCF₃) as the trifluoromethyl building block and sodium hydroxide as the formal deprotonation agent.

Ylide-Functionalization via Metalated Ylides: Synthesis and Structural Properties

The α-metallated ylides [Ph₃P-C-Z]^-M⁺ (with Z=SO₂Tol or CN and M=Na or K) were used as versatile nucleophiles for the facile access to ylide-substituted compounds. Halogenations, alkylations, carbonylations and functionalization reactions with main group element halides were easily accomplished by simple trapping reactions with the appropriate electrophiles. X-ray crystallographic studies of all compounds - including the first structures of α-fluorinated P-ylides - showed remarkable differences in the ylide backbone depending on the substituents. In the fluorinated compounds, a change from a fully planar to a pyramidalized ylidic carbon centre was observed despite the strongly anion-stabilizing ability of the yldiide substituent. π-Donation from the ylide substituent also resulted in geometric restrictions depending on the steric and electronic properties of the introduced substituents.

Pentafluoroethylated Compounds of Silicon, Germanium and Tin

In this contribution we present an account on pentafluoroethylated compounds of silicon, germanium and tin. The pronounced electron-withdrawing effect of the pentafluoroethyl group leads to a markedly increased Lewis acidity at the central atom which results in the stabilization of hypervalent complexes, anionic element(II) species as well as remarkable reactivities of element-element and element-hydrogen bonds. By addition to unsaturated C-C bonds or by reaction with organic halides as well as transition-metal complexes the molecules bearing a pentafluoroethyl-element group are readily accessible. Moreover, the utilization of pentafluoroethyl groups facilitates the formation of donor-stabilized germylenes and stannylenes. A series of such compounds serves as suitable pentafluoroethylation reagents. Conversely to the well-studied trifluoromethyl derivatives these compounds frequently exhibit a higher thermostability, which allows a more convenient handling.

The Dynamic Equilibrium of Hexakis(pentafluoroethyl)distannane Adducts [XSn(C2 F5 )3 {Sn(C2 F5 )3 }]- (X=Cl, Br, I, Sn(C2 F5 )3 )

The tin-tin bond cleavage of hexaorganodistannanes by nucleophiles is a long-known reaction and widely used for stannate formation or stannyl group transfer. Herein, we detail our experiments to provide analytical evidence for the existence of the reasonably stable anionic complexes [XSn(C₂ F₅ )₃ {Sn(C₂ F₅ )₃ }]^- (X=Cl, Br, I, Sn(C₂ F₅ )₃ ) derived from hexakis(pentafluoroethyl)distannane. NMR investigations at low temperature lend further mechanistic insights. Thus, by detection of the imposing ion [Sn(C₂ F₅ )₃ {Sn(C₂ F₅ )₃ }₂ ]^- , one can surmise that the chemistry of Sn₂ (C₂ F₅ )₆ has more in common with the isolobal iodine than with classical distannanes.

Exploiting a "Beast" in Carbenoid Chemistry: Development of a Straightforward Direct Nucleophilic Fluoromethylation Strategy

The first direct and straightforward nucleophilic fluoromethylation of organic compounds is reported. The tactic employs a "fleeting" lithium fluorocarbenoid (LiCH₂F) generated from commercially available fluoroiodomethane. Precise reaction conditions were developed for the generation and synthetic exploitation of such a labile species. The versatility of the strategy is showcased in ca. 50 examples involving a plethora of electrophiles. Highly valuable chemicals such as fluoroalcohols, fluoroamines, and fluoromethylated oxygenated heterocycles could be prepared in very good yields through a single synthetic operation. The scalability of the reaction and its application to complex molecular architectures (e.g., steroids) are documented.

Alkali Metal Chlorine and Bromine Carbenoids: Their Thermal Stability and Structural Properties

The synthesis and structures of a series of M/X carbenoids of the type [Ph₂ P(S)]₂ CMX with M=Li, Na, and K and X=Cl and Br are reported, amongst the first isolated Na/Br and K/Br carbenoids. NMR spectroscopic as well as crystallographic studies showed distinct differences between the lithium carbenoids and their heavier congeners. In the solid state, all carbenoids showed no direct metal-carbon interaction, but an interaction between the metal and the halogen atom. This contact is only very weak in the case of the Li/Br carbenoid, but much more pronounced in the corresponding potassium and sodium compounds. Nevertheless, these interactions did not significantly influence the stability of the carbenoids by weakening the C-X bond and facilitating the MX elimination. As such all compounds were found to be stable up to approximately 60 °C in solution. Hence, M-X interactions-albeit being an essential feature for the structure formation of carbenoids-are not the only criterion determining the stability of such compounds. In the present systems, the stabilization by the thiophosphinoyl moieties is more important than the metal/halogen combination.

Taming Metal/Fluorine Carbenoids

Although Li/Cl carbenoids are versatile reagents in organic synthesis, the controlled handling of the extremely reactive and labile M/F carbenoids remains a challenge. We now show that even these compounds can be stabilized and isolated in solid state, as well as in solution. Particularly the sodium and potassium compounds exhibit a remarkable stability, thus allowing the first isolation of a room-temperature-stable fluorine carbenoid. Spectroscopic, as well as DFT studies confirmed the pronounced carbenoid character, showing M-F-C interactions with elongated C-F bonds. The different stabilities of the carbenoids was found to originate from the different strength of the M-F interaction. Hence, the lithium compounds are considerably more reactive than their heavier congeners. Reactivity studies showed that the nature of the metal also influences the reactivity, resulting in different selectivity in the addition to thioketones.

Nucleophilic Transfer Reactions of the [Si(C2 F5 )3 ]- Moiety

The tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanide anion is accessible by the deprotonation of Si(C₂ F₅ )₃ H at low temperatures. Subsequent quenching of the resulting salt-like compounds with suitable electrophiles, such as transition-metal complexes or Group 14 element halides, leads to a plethora of novel tris(pentafluoroethyl)silane derivatives. This underlines the versatility of Li[Si(C₂ F₅ )₃ ] as a powerful nucleophilic transfer reagent.

The Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanide Anion

Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silane, which is conveniently accessible by the treatment of Si(C₂ F₅ )₃ X (X=Cl, Br) with Bu₃ SnH, was successfully employed for hydrosilylation reactions. In the presence of a palladium catalyst, hydrosilylation of phenylacetylene with Si(C₂ F₅ )₃ H affords the product of an α-addition whereas the reaction of trimethylsilylacetylene with the silane leads to the β-trans product. Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silane can be deprotonated by sterically demanding bases such as lithium diisopropylamide at low temperatures to give the corresponding silanide ion. The addition of crown ethers or cryptands to this highly reactive species enabled the isolation and characterization of salt-like tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanide at room temperature.

Synthesis of Functional Bis(pentafluoroethyl)silanes (C2 F5 )2 SiX2 , with X=H, F, Cl, Br, OPh, and O2 CCF3

As recently shown, the introduction of pentafluoroethyl functionalities into silicon compounds is of general interest due to an enhanced Lewis acidity of the resulting species. By this means, the synthesis of previously inaccessible hypervalent silicon derivatives is enabled. While an easy access to tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanes has already been published, synthetic strategies for the selective preparation of bis derivatives are yet unknown. In this contribution, a convenient protocol for the synthesis of functional bis(pentafluoroethyl)silicon compounds is presented. These compounds represent precursors for the synthesis of pentafluoroethylated polysiloxanes. Furthermore, they prove to be resistant to oxonium cations, which is a key feature for the preparation of stable pentafluoroethylsilic acids. Treatment of dichlorodiphenoxysilane with in situ generated pentafluoroethyl lithium leads to the corresponding bis(pentafluoroethyl)silane in high yields. (C₂ F₅ )₂ Si(OPh)₂ serves as a starting material for further functionalized bis(pentafluoroethyl)silanes. These silanes have been isolated and their reactivity towards N bases studied. The pronounced Lewis acidity of the obtained compounds has been documented by the formation of octahedral adducts with nitrogen donors such as 1,10-phenanthroline and acetonitrile.

Stability and reactivity control of carbenoids: recent advances and perspectives

Metal carbenoids such as lithium or Simmons-Smith-type reagents are widely used in organic synthesis, particularly in cyclopropanation and homologation reactions. These reagents are often highly reactive and thermally labile, thus limiting their isolation and hampering the development of new synthetic applications. Recent years however, have shown that by means of systematic stabilization a control of reactivity and the development of new applications is possible. This feature article documents recent developments in the control of carbenoid reactivity and stability and highlights structural and electronic properties as well as applications in main group element and transition metal chemistry.

Lithium Halomethylcarbenoids: Preparation and Use in the Homologation of Carbon Electrophiles

α-Halomethyllithium carbenoids are useful homologating reagents which - reacting under proper reaction conditions as carbanions - enable the installation via nucleophilic addition of a reactive halomethyl fragment onto a preformed carbon-heteroatom bond. The pronounced thermolability represented - since seminal studies by Köbrich - the Achilles' heel of these reagents: the use of Barbier-type methodologies (i.e., the electrophile should be present in the reaction mixture prior to the formation of the carbenoid) was pivotal in order to suppress decomposition through α-elimination processes. Nowadays, the use of low temperatures (-78 °C) guarantees reliable procedures and, significantly, the employment of microreactor technologies allows external trapping to be performed even at higher temperatures as reported by Luisi. We will discuss the α-halomethyllithium-mediated homologations of a series of carbon electrophiles such as carbonyl compounds, imines, esters, Weinreb amides, and isocyanates.

Alkali Metal Carbenoids: A Case of Higher Stability of the Heavier Congeners

As a result of the increased polarity of the metal-carbon bond when going down the group of the periodic table, the heavier alkali metal organyl compounds are generally more reactive and less stable than their lithium congeners. We now report a reverse trend for alkali metal carbenoids. Simple substitution of lithium by the heavier metals (Na, K) results in a significant stabilization of these usually highly reactive compounds. This allows their isolation and handling at room temperature and the first structure elucidation of sodium and potassium carbenoids. The control of stability was used to control reactivity and selectivity. Hence, the Na and K carbenoids act as selective carbene-transfer reagents, whereas the more labile lithium systems give rise to product mixtures. Additional fine tuning of the M-C interaction by means of crown ether addition further allows for control of the stability and reactivity.