Direct synthesis of phenanthrenyl triflates from 1-biphenylyl-2-diazo-2-aryl ketones and triflic anhydride

A strategy for direct synthesis of phenanthrenyl triflates from 1-biphenylyl-2-diazo-2-aryl ketones and triflic anhydride is described. The reaction of 1-biphenylyl-2-diazo-2-aryl ketones with triflic anhydride proceeded smoothly in the presence of 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine under mild conditions to produce phenanthrenyl triflates in high to excellent yields. The phenanthrenyl triflate products were demonstrated to be utilized as coupling partners in various coupling reactions. The proposed mechanism involves an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of a vinyl cation intermediate formed in situ.

Hidden silylium-type reactivity of a siloxane-based phosphonium-hydroborate ion pair

A new class of siloxane-based cations with hidden silylium-type reactivity is provided, which, in combination with an arylborate counteranion, initiates a highly selective para-C(sp²)-F defunctionalization of a perfluorinated aryl group. The hydrodefluorinated aryl borane is obtained as a crystalline solid via continuous sublimation during the reaction. The heterocyclic six-membered cation could be obtained single-crystalline after dehydrogenative anion exchange. DFT calculations give insight into the bonding within the siloxane-based cation and the mechanism of the ion pair reaction.

Carboboration-Driven Generation of a Silylium Ion for Vinylic C-F Bond Functionalization by B(C6 F5 )3 Catalysis

Strong main-group Lewis acids such as silylium ions are known to effectively promote heterolytic C(sp³ )-F bond cleavage. However, carrying out the C(sp² )-F bond transformation of vinylic C-F bonds has remained an unmet challenge. Herein, we describe our development of a new and simple strategy for vinylic C-F bond transformation of α-fluorostyrenes with silyl ketene acetals catalyzed by B(C₆ F₅ )₃ under mild conditions. Our theoretical calculations revealed that a stabilized silylium ion, which is generated from silyl ketene acetals by carboboration, cleaves the C-F bond of α-fluorostyrenes. A comparative study of α-chloro or bromostyrenes demonstrated that our reaction can be applied only to α-fluorostyrenes because the strong silicon-fluorine affinity facilitates an intramolecular interaction of silylium ions with fluorine atom to cleave the C-F bond. A broad range of α-fluorostyrenes as well as a range of silyl ketene acetals underwent this C-F bond transformation.

Solid-state construction of zigzag periphery via intramolecular C-H insertion induced by alumina-mediated C-F activation

C_aryl-F bond activation has become an important and quickly developing method for construction of carbon-based materials. We report that alumina-mediated C-F bond activation (AmCFA) enables construction of PAHs with zigzag periphery. This method includes formal C_sp³-H activation and opens an avenue for generation of carbon-based nanomagnets directly on technologically relevant surfaces.

Acid-mediated intermolecular C-F/C-H cross-coupling of 2-fluorobenzofurans with arenes: synthesis of 2-arylbenzofurans

Transition-metal-free acid-promoted biaryl construction was achieved via intermolecular C-F/C-H cross-coupling. By treating 2-fluorobenzofurans with arenes in the presence of AlCl₃, 2-arylbenzofurans were obtained. This protocol was successfully applied to the short-step orthogonal synthesis of a bioactive 2-arylbenzofuran natural product, which allows independent transformations of C-F and C-Br bonds. Mechanistic studies indicated that α-fluorine-stabilized carbocations, generated via the protonation of 2-fluorobenzofurans, served as key intermediates. The Friedel-Crafts-type C-C bond formation between the α-fluorocarbocations and arenes, followed by hydrogen fluoride elimination, afforded 2-arylbenzofurans.

C-F bond activation under transition-metal-free conditions

The unique properties of fluorine-containing organic compounds make fluorine substitution attractive for the development of pharmaceuticals and various specialty materials, which have inspired the evolution of diverse C-F bond activation techniques. Although many advances have been made in functionalizations of activated C-F bonds utilizing transition metal complexes, there are fewer approaches available for nonactivated C-F bonds due to the difficulty in oxidative addition of transition metals to the inert C-F bonds. In this regard, using Lewis acid to abstract the fluoride and light/radical initiator to generate the radical intermediate have emerged as powerful tools for activating those inert C-F bonds. Meanwhile, these transition-metal-free processes are greener, economical, and for the pharmaceutical industry, without heavy metal residues. This review provides an overview of recent C-F bond activations and functionalizations under transition-metal-free conditions. The key mechanisms involved are demonstrated and discussed in detail. Finally, a brief discussion on the existing limitations of this field and our perspective are presented.

Silylium Ions: From Elusive Reactive Intermediates to Potent Catalysts

The history of silyl cations has all the makings of a drama but with a happy ending. Being considered reactive intermediates impossible to isolate in the condensed phase for decades, their actual characterization in solution and later in solid state did only fuel the discussion about their existence and initially created a lot of controversy. This perception has completely changed today, and silyl cations and their donor-stabilized congeners are now widely accepted compounds with promising use in synthetic chemistry. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the fundamental facts and principles of the chemistry of silyl cations, including reliable ways of their preparation as well as their physical and chemical properties. The striking features of silyl cations are their enormous electrophilicity and as such reactivity as super Lewis acids as well as fluorophilicity. Known applications rely on silyl cations as reactants, stoichiometric reagents, and promoters where the reaction success is based on their steady regeneration over the course of the reaction. Silyl cations can even be discrete catalysts, thereby opening the next chapter of their way into the toolbox of synthetic methodology.

C–H Functionalization Reactions of Phenyl and Vinyl Carbocations Paired with Weakly Coordinating Anions

Carbocations have played a central role in the chemical sciences for over a century. In a synthetic setting, most methods utilize stabilized tricoordinate carbocations, while there are far fewer examples of reactions featuring nonstabilized dicoordinate cations. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the generation of high-energy carbocations mediated by weakly coordinating anions and the C–H insertion reactions of such carbocations. Moreover, we discuss mechanistic studies of these catalytic C–H insertion reactions aimed at furthering our understanding of the reactive nature of these rarely invoked cationic intermediates.

1 Introduction

2 Background: Phenyl Carbocations

3 Silylium/Carborane-Catalyzed C–H Insertion Reactions of Phenyl Carbocations

4 Silane-Fueled, Weakly Coordinating Anion-Catalyzed, Reductive C–H Insertion Reactions of Vinyl Carbocations

5 C–H Insertion Reactivity of Vinyl Carbocations under Basic Conditions

6 Conclusion and Outlook

Alumina-promoted oxodefluorination

A simple protocol for the clean preparation of heterocyclic compounds containing dibenzofuran's core via oxodefluorination of fluoroarenes on activated γ-Al₂O₃ is reported. Alumina can be considered as a reliable oxygen source enabling one-pot substitution of fluorine atoms and yielding benzoannulated furan derivatives. The corresponding C–F bond activation is selective towards less stable C–Br/C–I and occurs under metal- and solvent-free conditions.

A simple protocol for the clean preparation of heterocyclic compounds containing dibenzofuran's core via oxodefluorination of fluoroarenes on activated γ-Al₂O₃ is reported.

Nonclassical Applications of closo-Carborane Anions: From Main Group Chemistry and Catalysis to Energy Storage

Classically closo-carborane anions, particularly [HCB₁₁H₁₁]^- and [HCB₉H₉]^-, and their derivatives have primarily been used as weakly coordinating anions to isolate reactive intermediates, platforms for stoichiometric and catalytic functionalization, counteranions for simple Lewis acid catalysis, and components of materials like liquid crystals. The aim of this article is to educate the reader on the contemporary nonclassical applications of these anions. Specifically, this review will cover new directions in main group catalysis utilized to achieve some of the most challenging catalytic reactions such as C-F, C-H, and C-C functionalizations that are difficult or impossible to realize with transition metals. In addition, the review will cover the utilization of the clusters as dianionic C σ-bound ligands for coordination chemistry, ligand substituents for coordination chemistry and advanced catalyst design, and covalently bound spectator substituents to stabilize radicals. Furthermore, their applications as solution-based and solid-state electrolytes for Li, Na, and Mg batteries will be discussed.

Peraryl-X-onium ions of nitrogen and oxygen

Carbon fluorine bond activation produces phenyl cations that are effective electrophiles for a new synthesis of tetraarylammonium and triaryloxonium ions. In parallel with diazonium salt decomposition a robust and general method to these underrepresented cations is demonstrated in this work.

Aluminium-mediated aromatic C–F bond activation: regioswitchable construction of benzene-fused triphenylene frameworks

Aluminium-mediated selective synthesis of benzo[f]tetraphenes or benzo[g]chrysenes was achieved via aromatic C–F bond cleavage and regioselective C–C bond formation.