Total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide: an improved endgame exploiting a Still-Gennari-type olefination with a C1-C8 beta-ketophosphonate fragment

[structure: see text] An improved, third-generation, total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide, a potent microtubule-stabilizing anticancer agent of marine sponge origin, is achieved in 11.1% yield over 21 steps. Key steps include a Still-Gennari HWE olefination, performed using NaH as the base, between C1-C8 beta-ketophosphonate 7 and C9-C24 aldehyde 8, introducing the (8Z)-alkene with 10:1 selectivity, and K-Selectride reduction of the derived enone 16, installing the (7S)-configuration.     

Synthesis of the C(1)-C(12) segment of peloruside A by an alpha-benzyloxymethyl ketone aldol strategy

The C(1)-C(12) segment of 16-membered antitumor macrolide peloruside A has been prepared by a BF(3).OEt(2)-catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reaction between a glucose-derived C(1)-C(7) aldehyde and a C(8)-C(12) alpha-benzyloxymethyl ketone. Exclusive 2,3-anti and moderate 3,5-anti/syn facial selectivity (3.5:1) was observed in the aldol reaction. The key C(1)-C(7) aldehyde contains the required stereochemistry at carbons two, three, and five, and has been efficiently prepared on multigram scales from commercial triacetyl D-glucal. [reaction: see text]     

A practical synthesis of (+)-discodermolide and analogues: fragment union by complex aldol reactions

A practical stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-discodermolide (1) has been completed in 10.3% overall yield (23 steps longest linear sequence). The absolute stereochemistry of the C(1)-C(6) (7), C(9)-C(16) (8), and C(17)-C(24) (9) subunits was established via substrate-controlled, boron-mediated, aldol reactions of the chiral ethyl ketones 10, 11, and 12. Key fragment coupling reactions were a lithium-mediated, anti-selective, aldol reaction of aryl ester 8 (under Felkin-Anh induction from the aldehyde component 9), followed by in situ reduction to produce the 1,3-diol 40, and a (+)-diisopinocampheylboron chloride-mediated aldol reaction of methyl ketone 7 (overturning the inherent substrate induction from the aldehyde component 52) to give the (7S)-adduct 58. The flexibility of our overall strategy is illustrated by the synthesis of a number of diastereomers and structural analogues of discodermolide, which should serve as valuable probes for structure-activity studies.     

Steric Effects in the Tuning of the Diastereoselectivity of the Intramolecular Free-Radical Cyclization to an Olefin As Exemplified through the Synthesis of a Carba-Pentofuranose Scaffold

Two free-radical cyclization reactions with the radical at the chiral C4 of the pentose sugar and the intramolecularly C1-tethered olefin (on radical precursors 8 and 17) gave a new diastereospecific C4-C8 bond in dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 9, whereas the new C4-C7 bond in 7-methyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes 18a/18b gave trans and cis diastereomers, in which the chirality of the C4 center is fully retained as that of the starting material. It has been shown how the chemical nature of the fused carba-pentofuranose scaffolds, dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 9 vis-a-vis 7-methyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes 18a/18b (C7-Me in the former versus 2-O- in the latter), dictates the stereochemical outcome both at the Grignard reaction step as well as in the free-radical ring-closure reaction. The formation of pure 1,8-trans-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 9 from 8 suggests that the boat-like transition state is favored due to the absence of steric clash of the bulky 1(S)-O-p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) and 7(R)-Me substituents (both in the α-face) with that of the 8(R)-CH(2)(?) radical in the β-face. The conversion of 17 → 18a-7(S) and 18b-7(R) in 6:4 ratio shows that the participation of both the chair- and the boat-like transition states is likely.     

Arene-ruthenium complexes of an acyclic thiolate-thioether and tridentate thioether derivatives resulting from ring-closure reactions

The reaction of [(eta(6)-arene)RuCl(2)](2) (arene = C(6)Me(6), 1,4-MeC(6)H(4)CHMe(2)) with a large excess of the dianion of bis(2-mercaptoethyl) sulfide, (HSCH(2)CH(2))(2)S, obtained from deprotonation of the dithiol with freshly prepared NaOMe, gives the deep red, monomeric complexes [(eta(6)-arene)Ru(eta(3)-C(4)H(8)S(3))] (arene = C(6)Me(6) (5), 1,4-MeC(6)H(4)CHMe(2) (6)) in which the dianion is bound to the metal atom through one thioether and two thiolate sulfur atoms. Complex 5 reacts with [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))RuCl(2)](2) (4) in a 2:1 mole ratio to give a quantitative yield of the chloride salt of a binuclear cation [((eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru)(2)Cl(mu(2)-eta(2):eta(3)-C(4)H(8)S(3))](+) (7) in which the thiolate sulfur atoms of the [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(eta(3)-C(4)H(8)S(3))] group bridge to a (eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))RuCl unit. This compound is also obtained directly from the reaction of 4 with the dithiolate, if the Ru dimer is used in large excess. The binuclear complex [((eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru)(2)(MeCN)(mu(2)-eta(2):eta(3)-C(4)H(8)S(3))](PF(6))(2).MeCN, (9)(PF(6))(2).MeCN, is obtained by treatment of (7)Cl with NH(4)PF(6) in acetonitrile. Protonation of 5 with HCl gave the mono- and diprotonated derivatives viz. [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(eta(3)-C(4)H(9)S(3))]Cl, (8)Cl, and [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(eta(3)-C(4)H(10)S(3))]Cl(2), (10)Cl(2), respectively. The reaction of 5 with methyl iodide gives both the mono- and di-S-methylated derivatives. Treatment of 5 with dibromoalkanes, Br(CH(2))(n)Br (n = 1-5), effects ring closure to give the (eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru dications containing the trithia mesocyclic zS3 (z = 8-12) ligands, isolated as their PF(6) salts. The X-ray crystal structures of 5, 6, the solvates of (7)Cl and (9)(PF(6))(2), and the trithia mesocyclic Ru complexes (eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(zS3)(PF(6))(2) (z = 8-11) are reported.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 2,3-Diethoxycarbonyl-4-phenyl-5-morpholinyl Thiophene

1INTRoDUCTIONa-Thiocarbonylthioformamidesweresynthesizedin198o[l~2i,however,thereisnoreportofthesecompoundsconcerningtheirpropertiesandreactionactivitiest33.Accordingtotheirstructure,theyseemtohavereactionwithdienophi1es,likesubsti-tutedolefinicandacetylenicdienophilestoleadcorrespondingDiels-Alderproduct.xylene(15ml),diethylbutynedioicester(O.2g,1.2mmol)wasadded,themix-turewasrefluxedfor20h,thencooledtoroomtemperatureandconcentrated.Theresiduewaspurifiedbysilicagelcolumnusingacetone/petr…     

Total synthesis of the epidermal growth factor inhibitor (-)-reveromycin B

The total synthesis of the epidermal growth factor inhibitor reveromycin B (2) in 25 linear steps from chiral methylene pyran 13 is described. The key steps involved an inverse electron demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between dienophile 13 and diene 12 to construct the 6,6-spiroketal 11 which upon oxidation with dimethyldioxirane and acid catalyzed rearrangement gave the 5,6-spiroketal aldehyde 9. Lithium acetylide addition followed by oxidation/reduction and protective group manipulation provided the reveromycin B spiroketal core 8 which was converted into the reveromycin A (1) derivative 6 in order to confirm the stereochemistry of the spiroketal segment. Introduction of the C1-C10 side chain began with sequential Wittig reactions to form the C8-C9 and C7-C6 bonds, and a tin mediated asymmetric aldol reaction installed the C4 and C5 stereocenters. The final key steps to the target molecule 2 involved a Stille coupling to introduce the C21-C22 bond, succinoylation, selective deprotection, oxidation, and Wittig condensation to form the final C2-C3 bond. Deprotection was effected by TBAF in DMF to afford reveromycin B (2) in 72% yield.     

Synthetic studies on taxol: highly stereoselective construction of the taxol C-ring via SN2' reduction of an allylic phosphonium salt

[reaction: see text] The highly stereoselective construction of the C3 stereogenic center of the taxol C-ring is described. The trans isomer at the C3-C8 position of the taxol C-ring, which is required for the total synthesis, as well as its diastereomeric cis isomer were successfully synthesized with highly diastereoselective S(N)2' reduction of the allylic phosphonium salts.     

Total synthesis of (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-membrenone-A and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)- membrenone-B and structural assignment of membrenone-C

[reaction: see text] (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-Membrenone-A and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-B were prepared in 11 steps (3% and 2.4% overall yield, respectively). Key steps included a tin(II)-mediated aldol followed by a syn selective reduction, giving the C7-C9 stereocenters, a second chain extending aldol coupling, and a p-TsOH-promoted cyclization/dehydration giving the common gamma-dihydropyrone precursor. We have thus established that synthetic (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-membrenone-A, (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-B, and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-C are the enantiomers of the natural products.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-pironetin employing the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology

A convergent asymmetric total synthesis of pironetin (1), a polyketide with immunosuppressive, antitumor, and plant-growth regulating activities is described. The synthesis was realized by coupling between the C(8)-C(14) 2 and C(7)-C(2) 15 fragments, respectively, by using a Mukaiyama-aldol reaction. The stereogenic centers of each fragment were generated by employing the SAMP/RAMP hydrazone (SAMP=(S)-1-amino-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine, RAMP=(R)-1-amino-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine) methodology as a key step. An asymmetric alpha-alkylation of diethyl ketone permitted the introduction of the C(10) stereogenic center of 2, whereas the stereocenters C(4) and C(5) of 15 were installed by an asymmetric aldol reaction. Finally, the formation of the alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone was achieved by ring-closing metathesis in the presence of catalytic amounts of titanium tetraisopropoxide.     

Cp2V] migration along an octatetrayne chain: from the monometallic complex (Cp2V(2-4eta-tBuC triple bond C2-C triple bond CC triple bond CtBu)] to the dimetallic complex

The oxidative addition of one equivalent of [Cp2V] (4) to the tetrayne ligand tBuC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CtBu (5) gives the monometallic complex [Cp2V(3-4eta-tBuC triple bond C-C2-C triple bond CC triple bond CtBu)] (7). Compound 7 reacts further with a second equivalent of [Cp2V] to give the dimetallic complex [(Cp2V)2(1-2eta:7-8eta-tBuC2-C triple bond CC triple bond C-C2tBu)] (8), which involves a shift of the first coordinated [Cp2V] unit from the internal C3-C4 to the external C1-C2 positions on the alkynyl ligand. Compound 8 is also directly obtained by the addition of two equivalents of [Cp2V] to 5. Reversibly, reaction of 8 with 5 leads to 7. This exchange reaction between 7 and 8 by adding successively 5 and 4 has been monitored by EPR spectroscopy. By contrast, the oxidative addition of one or two equivalents of [Cp2V] to the tetrayne ligand PhC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CC triple bond CPh (6) gives the homodimetallic complex [(Cp2V)2(1-2eta:7-8eta-PhC2-CC triple bond CC triple bond C-C2-Ph)] (9). Both monometallic and dimetallic complexes 7, 8, and 9 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic moment measurements for 8 and 9 from 300 to 4 K indicated a weak antiferromagnetic J exchange coupling of -12.5 and -4.1 cm(-1), respectively.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 2-Fluoro-4-methyl-3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-17β-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 2-Fluoro-4-methyl-3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-17β-carboxylic Acid Methyl EsterAuthorJANG Yin-Zhi XIANG Zuo LIANG Da-Wei (Department of Applied Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech. University, Hangzhou 310018, China)AbstractThe title compound VII, 2-fluoro-4-methyl-3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-17β-carboxylic acid methyl ester (C21H30FNO3, Mr = 363.46), was prepared through a seven-step reaction from pregnenolone, and characterized by elemental and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses as well as IR, MS and 1H-NMR spectra. It is of monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 6.3882(7), b = 9.9033(11), c = 15.4925(17) , β = 91.923(2)°, V = 979.57(19) 3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.232 mg/m3, μ = 0.088 mm-1, F(000)= 392, R = 0.0465, wR = 0.0989 and λ(MoKα) = 0.71073 . The structure indicates that the four cycles (A: C(1)-C(2)-C(3)-N(1)-C(5)-C(10), B: C(5)-C(6)-C(7)- C(8)-C(9)-C(10), C: C(8)-C(14)-C(13)-C(12)-C(11)-C(9), D: C(14)-C(15)-C(16)-C(17)-C(13)) are in chairand trans-configurations. The results of crystal structure determination show that there exist weak intra-molecular hydrogen bonds, resulting in a two-dimensional supramolecular frame-work of the title compound.Keywordsfluoro-sterol, synthesis, crystal structure, supramolecule     

Synthesis and Structure of 6-(4- Fluorobenzylamino)-3-methylthio-1,5- diphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one

1 INTRODUCTION It was reported that the pyrazolopyrimidinone derivatives play a very important role in the bio- chemistry of living cell. Many potential drugs[1～3] and agrochemicals[4, 5] have been modeled on the compound, and the study on derivatives …     

A second-generation total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide: the development of a practical route using solely substrate-based stereocontrol

A novel total synthesis of the complex polyketide (+)-discodermolide, a promising anticancer agent of sponge origin, has been completed in 7.8% overall yield over 24 linear steps, with 35 steps altogether. This second-generation approach was designed to rely solely on substrate control for introduction of the required stereochemistry, eliminating the use of all chiral reagents or auxiliaries. The common 1,2-anti-2,3-syn stereotriad found in each of three subunits, aldehyde 9 (C(1)-C(5)), ester 40 (C(9)-C(16)), and aldehyde 13 (C(17)-C(24)), was established via a boron-mediated aldol reaction of ethyl ketone 15 and formaldehyde, followed by hydroxyl-directed reduction to give 1,3-diol 14. Alternatively, a surrogate aldehyde 22 was employed for formaldehyde in this aldol reaction, leading to the beta-hydroxy aldehyde 20 as a common building block, corresponding to the discodermolide stereotriad. Key fragment unions were achieved by a lithium-mediated anti aldol reaction of ester 40 and aldehyde 13 under Felkin-Anh control to provide (16S,17S)-adduct 51 and a boron-mediated aldol reaction between enone 10 and aldehyde 9, exploiting unprecedented remote 1,6-stereoinduction, to give the (5S)-adduct 57.     

Influence of diene substitution on Diels-Alder reactions between vinyl dihydronaphthalenes and (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone

The asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction between 2-(E-2-acetoxyvinyl)-8-tert-butyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (8) and enantiopure (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (1) takes place exclusively on the unsubstituted C(5)-C(6) double bond of (SS)-1 with a very high control of the chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity of the process affording tetracyclic sulfinyl derivative 13a possessing five stereogenic centers. The analogue diene 9, lacking the tert-butyl group, gave a less chemoselective reaction (C(2)-C(3)/C(5)-C(6): 60/40) in favor of reaction through the sulfoxide-substituted double bond C(2)-C(3) of 1. Steric effects of the remote tert-butyl group and electronic factors due to the OAc substituent are controlling the process.     

Ring-opening protonolysis of sila[1]ferrocenophanes as a route to stabilized silylium ions

The ring-opening reactions of a series of sila[1]ferrocenophanes with protic acids of anions with various degrees of noncoordinating character have been explored. Ferrocenyl-substituted silyl triflates FcSiMe2OTf (5 a) and Fc(3)SiOTf (5 b) (Fc=(eta5-C5H4)Fe(eta5-C5H5)) were synthesized by means of HOTf-induced ring-opening protonolysis of strained sila[1]ferrocenophanes fcSiMe2 (3 a) and fcSiFc2 (3 b) (fc=(eta5-C5H4)2Fe). Reaction of 3 a and 3 b with HBF4 yielded fluorosubstituted ferrocenylsilanes FcSiMe2F (6 a) and Fc3SiF (6 b) and suggested the intermediacy of a highly reactive silylium ion capable of abstracting F- from the [BF4]- ion. Generation of the solvated silylium ions [FcSiMe2THF]+ (7a+), [Fc3SiTHF]+ (7b+) and [FcSiiPr2OEt2]+ (7c+) at low temperatures, by reaction of the corresponding sila[1]ferrocenophanes (3 a, 3 b, and fcSiiPr2 (3 c), respectively) with H(OEt2)(S)TFPB (S=Et2O or THF; TFPB=tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) was monitored by using low-temperature 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. In situ reaction of 7a+, 7b+, and 7c+ with excess pyridine generated [FcSiMe2py]+ (8a+), [Fc3Sipy]+ (8b+), and [FcSiiPr2py]+ (8c+), respectively, as observed by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. A preparative-scale reaction of 3 b with H(OEt2)(THF)TFPB at -60 degrees C and subsequent addition of excess pyridine gave isolable red crystals of 8b-[TFPB]CHCl3, which were characterized by 1H and 29Si NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyano-substituted carborane-based compounds. Molecular structure of [1-(4-C7H7)-12-(C5H3-3-(CN)-3,4-(CH3)2)-C2B10H10

The reaction of cyanogen chloride with [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H(3)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (7) was found to yield two new C(5)-substituted carborane cluster-based compounds, [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H(2)-3-(CN)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (8) and [1-(4-C(7)H(7))-12-(C(5)H-2,4-(CN)(2)-3,4-(CH(3))(2))-C(2)B(10)H(10)] (9). This cyano-substitution pattern is in contrast to the known substitution for the analogous organic quinarene[5.6.7] system. The observed unique cluster-based products may be understood by a combination of steric and electronic effects. Compounds 8 and 9 were characterized by complete multinuclear NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY NMR, (1)H-(13)C HMQC NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, IR, MS data and a single crystal analysis for 8 [X-ray data for 8: C(17)H(25)B(10)N, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n with cell constants a = 8.6794(17) ?, b = 11.021(2) ?, c = 43.175(9) ?, β = 91.00(3)°, V = 4129.2(14) ?(3), Z = 8, R(1) = 0.0729, wR(2) = 0.1464].     

Total synthesis of the antiinflammatory and proresolving protectin D1

Stereoselective total synthesis of protectin D1 was completed through construction of the Z,E,E-triene structure by using the Suzuki coupling between the vinyl borane (C13-C22) and the vinyl iodide (C1-C12). The Z-enyne, the acetylene precursor of the vinyl borane was synthesized from optically active γ-TMS allylic alcohol in a straightforward way. On the other hand, the vinyl iodide was prepared by using Wittig reaction between the C8-C12 aldehyde possessing the requisite iodo-olefin moiety and the C1-C7 phosphonium iodide.     

Toward the synthesis of norzoanthamine: complete fragment assembly

The complex marine alkaloid norzoanthamine (2) was envisioned to be assembled from three key building blocks: the C1-C5 fragment A, the C6-C10 fragment B, and the C11-C24 fragment C. The synthesis of fragment A was achieved in 14 steps and 33% overall yield from (R)-gamma-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone. Fragment B was made in two steps from PMB-protected 4-pentynol in 76% yield. The C11-C24 fragment C was made from (S)-carvone via (R)-isocarvone in 18 steps (6% overall yield). The convergent stereoselective synthesis of the entire carbon framework (C1-C24) of the target molecule was achieved via the following assemblage. Alkenyl iodide 20 derived from the C11-C24 fragment C was coupled to fragment B (C6-C10) through a high-yielding Stille coupling reaction of these two sterically very demanding coupling partners, affording the key Diels-Alder precursor 24. The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction proceeded smoothly in excellent yield and diastereoselectivity, generating the tricyclic trans-anti-trans perhydrophenanthrene motif of norzoanthamine (C6-C24). The final fragment coupling between lithiated fragment A (C1-C5) and aldehyde 40 (C6-C24) has also been successfully accomplished affording the entire carbon framework of the natural product.     

C-F activation of fluorinated arenes using NHC-stabilized nickel(0) complexes: selectivity and mechanistic investigations

The reaction of [Ni2((i)Pr2Im)4(COD)] 1a or [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C2H4)] 1b with different fluorinated arenes is reported. These reactions occur with a high chemo- and regioselectivity. In the case of polyfluorinated aromatics of the type C6F5X such as hexafluorobenzene (X = F) octafluorotoluene (X = CF3), trimethyl(pentafluorophenyl)silane (X = SiMe3), or decafluorobiphenyl (X = C6F5) the C-F activation regioselectively takes place at the C-F bond in the para position to the X group to afford the complexes trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(C6F5)]2, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(CF3)C6F4)] 3, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(C6F5)C6F4)] 4, and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-(SiMe3)C6F4)] 5. Complex 5 was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of 1a with partially fluorinated aromatic substrates C6H(x)F(y) leads to the products of a C-F activation trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2-C6FH4)] 7, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(3,5-C6F2H3)] 8, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3-C6F2H3)] 9a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,6-C6F2H3)] 9b, trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,5-C6F2H3)] 10, and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3,5,6-C6F4H)] 11. The reaction of 1a with octafluoronaphthalene yields exclusively trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(1,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6a, the product of an insertion into the C-F bond in the 2-position, whereas for the reaction of 1b with octafluoronaphthalene the two isomers trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(1,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2,3,4,5,6,7,8-C10F7)] 6b are formed in a ratio of 11:1. The reaction of 1a or of 1b with pentafluoropyridine at low temperatures affords trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-C5NF4)] 12a as the sole product, whereas the reaction of 1b performed at room temperature leads to the generation of trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(4-C5NF4)] 12a and trans-[Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(F)(2-C5NF4)] 12b in a ratio of approximately 1:2. The detection of intermediates as well as kinetic studies gives some insight into the mechanistic details for the activation of an aromatic carbon-fluorine bond at the {Ni((i)Pr2Im)2} complex fragment. The intermediates of the reaction of 1b with hexafluorobenzene and octafluoronaphthalene, [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C6F6)] 13 and [Ni((i)Pr2Im)2(eta(2)-C10F8)] 14, have been detected in solution. They convert into the C-F activation products. Complex 14 was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The rates for the loss of 14 at different temperatures for the C-F activation of the coordinated naphthalene are first order and the estimated activation enthalpy Delta H(double dagger) for this process was determined to be Delta H(double dagger) = 116 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1) (Delta S(double dagger) = 37 +/- 25 J K(-1) mol(-1)). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations on the reaction of 1a with hexafluorobenzene, octafluoronaphthalene, octafluorotoluene, 1,2,4-trifluorobenzene, and 1,2,3-trifluorobenzene are presented.