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.     

Characterizing Pressure‐Induced Uranium C?H Agostic Bonds

The diuranium(III) compound [UN′′₂]₂(μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐C₆H₆) (N′′=N(SiMe₃)₂) has been studied using variable, high‐pressure single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, and density functional theory . In this compound, the low‐coordinate metal cations are coupled through π‐ and δ‐symmetric arene overlap and show close metal CH contacts with the flexible methyl CH groups of the sterically encumbered amido ligands. The metal–metal separation decreases with increasing pressure, but the most significant structural changes are to the close contacts between ligand CH bonds and the U centers. Although the interatomic distances are suggestive of agostic‐type interactions between the U and ligand peripheral CH groups, QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms‐in‐molecules) computational analysis suggests that there is no such interaction at ambient pressure. However, QTAIM and NBO analyses indicate that the interaction becomes agostic at 3.2 GPa.