C-F bond cleavage by transient phosphorus(III)-based dications [RP(C(PPh3)2)]2+ (4a2+, R = Ph; 4b2+, R = 4-F-Ph) is reported. These dications were generated by reaction of the corresponding monocationic precursors with excess Na[BAr4Cl]. Evidence for the existence of transient dicationic species was obtained by trapping the dication 4a2+ with PMe3. According to theoretical analysis, the low-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of these species were responsible for the observed activation of C-F bonds. © 2015 American Chemical Society.

Rakesh Ganguly

SNU Management

N. Dordević

M.Q.Y. Tay

S. Muthaiah

D. Dimić

D. Vidović

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Shiv Nadar University

Inorganic Chemistry

C-F bond activation by transient phosphenium dications