Investigation of CF2 carbene on the surface of activated charcoal in the synthesis of trifluoroiodomethane via vapor-phase catalytic reaction

This paper investigates the synthetic mechanism of trifluoroiodomethane (CF₃I) in the reaction of trifluoromethane and iodine via vapor-phase catalytic reaction. It is suggested that CF₂ carbene is the key intermediate and is formed in the pyrolysis process of CHF₃ at high temperature. However, in pyrolysis of CHF₃ under activated charcoal (AC) existing conditions, no C₂F₄ was detected. H₂ and 2-methyl-2-butene could not trap the CF₂ carbene. When treating the remained compounds on the used AC with H₂, CH₄ is formed on the process. It is proposed that CF₂ carbene combines with AC strongly and transfers into CF₃ radical on heat. In addition, it is found that the AC is not only the catalyst supporter to form CF₃I, but also a co-catalyst to promote the formation of CF₂ carbene and CF₃ radical.     

New types of asymmetrical bromonium salts [RF(RF′)Br]Y where RF and/or RF′ represent perfluorinated aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups

A series of previously unknown asymmetrical fluorinated bis(aryl)bromonium, alkenyl(aryl)bromonium, and alkynyl(aryl)bromonium salts was prepared by reactions of C₆F₅BrF₂ or 4-CF₃C₆H₄BrF₂ with aryl group transfer reagents Ar′SiF₃ (Ar′ = C₆F₅, 4-FC₆H₄, C₆H₅) or perfluoroorganyl group transfer reagents R_F′BF₂ (R_F = C₆F₅, trans-CF₃CFCF, C₃F₇C≡C) preferentially in weakly coordinating solvents (CCl₃F, CCl₂FCClF₂, CH₂Cl₂, CF₃CH₂CHF₂ (PFP), CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ (PFB)). The presence of the base MeCN and the influence of the adducts R_F′BF₂·NCMe (R_F = C₆F₅, CF₃C≡C) on reactions aside to bromonium salt formation are discussed. Reactions of C₆F₅BrF₂ with Alk_F′BF₂ in PFP gave mainly C₆F₅Br and Alk_F′F (Alk_F′ = C₆F₁₃, C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂), presumably, deriving from the unstable salts [C₆F₅(Alk_F′)Br]Y (Y = [Alk_F′BF₃]⁻). Prototypical reactivities of selected bromonium salts were investigated with the nucleophile I^-and the electrophile H⁺. [4-CF₃C₆H₄(C₆F₅)Br][BF₄] showed the conversion into 4-CF₃C₆H₄Br and C₆F₅I when reacted with [Bu₄N]I in MeCN. Perfluoroalkynylbromonium salts [C_nF_2n+1C≡C(R_F)Br][BF₄] slowly added HF when dissolved in aHF and formed [Z-C_nF_2n+1CFCH(R_F)Br][BF₄].     

The fluorination of methane and related compounds by copper(II) fluoride and other metal fluorides

Methane reacted with MnF₃ between 350-650°C affording hydrogen fluoride, MnF₂, the fluoromethanes CH₃F, CH₂F₂, CHF₃ and CF₄ and a complex mixture of less volatile fluorocarbons.Methane reacted with FeF₃ between 650-950°C giving the fluoromethenes CH₃F, CH₂F₂ and CHF₃, C₂H₄ and carbon, as well as hydrogen fluoride and FeF₂.A more detailed study of the CuF₂-CH₄ reaction between 600-850°C showed that copper metal, hydrogen fluoride and CH₃F were always obtained, other products including CH₂F₂, CHF₃, CF₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, C₂F₆ and carbon. Yields of the fluoromethanes were enhanced by using relatively large amount of CuF₂ and by adding CaF₂ as an inert support. A nearly constant reaction rate occurred at a fixed temperature. Dilution of methane with nitrogen decreased yields of carbon and CH₃F but increased yields of C₂H₄ and C₂H₆.A brief study of the reactions with CuF₂ and some of the CH₄-CuF₂ reaction products was also made. Ethane and ethene both afforded traces of trifluoromethane and relatively large yields of carbon and hydrogen fluoride. That the fluorination of methane to tetrafluoromethane could take place sequentially was demonstrated by reactions with CH₃F, CH₂F₂ and CHF₃. Some pyrolysis of CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ also occurred under the chosen reaction conditions.The CH₄-CuF₂ reaction was made part of a cyclic process in which generation of the CuF₂ in situ from copper metal by successive reaction with oxygen at 400°C and hydrogen fluoride at temperatures rising to 600°C was followed by reaction with methane; 68% coversion to fluorinated products occurred. The cycle was completed by re-conversion of the copper metal residue back to CuF₂ and further reaction with methane when almost identical yields of fluorocarbons and hydrogen fluoride were obtained.     

Hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding co-existing in the reaction of heptafluorobenzyl iodide with N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylene diamine

Two novel assembling systems 3 and 4, with the structures of C₆F₅CF₂⁻?H⁺N(Me)₂CH₂CH₂(Me₂)N⁺H?⁻CF₂C₆F₅ and C₆F₅CF₂I?N(Me)₂CH₂CH₂(Me)₂N?ICF₂C₆F₅, respectively, have been generated from the solution of heptafluorobenzyl iodide 1 and N,N,N^′,N^′-tetramethylethylenediamine 2 in dichloromethane. Their structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy. Intermolecular N?I halogen bond and F?H hydrogen bond are revealed to be the driving forces for their formation.     

Bis(perfluoroorganyl)bromonium salts [(RF)2Br]Y (RF = aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl)

Bromonium salts [(R_F)₂Br]Y with perfluorinated groups R_FC₆F₅, CF₃CFCF, C₂F₅CFCF, and CF₃C≡C were isolated from reactions of BrF₃ with R_FBF₂ in weakly coordinating solvents (wcs) like CF₃CH₂CHF₂ (PFP) or CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ (PFB) in 30-90% yields. C₆F₅BF₂ formed independent of the stoichiometry only [(C₆F₅)₂Br][BF₄]. 1:2 reactions of BrF₃ and silanes C₆F₅SiY₃ (Y = F, Me) ended with different products - C₆F₅BrF₂ or [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SiF₅] - as pure individuals, depending on Y and on the reaction temperature (Y = F). With C₆F₅SiF₃ at ≥−30 °C [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SiF₅] resulted in 92% yield whereas the reaction with less Lewis acidic C₆F₅SiMe₃ only led to C₆F₅BrF₂ (58%). The interaction of K[C₆F₅BF₃] with BrF₃ or [BrF₂][SbF₆] in anhydrous HF gave [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SbF₆]. Attempts to obtain a bis(perfluoroalkyl)bromonium salt by reactions of C₆F₁₃BF₂ with BrF₃ or of K[C₆F₁₃BF₃] with [BrF₂][SbF₆] failed. The 3:2 reactions of BrF₃ with (C₆F₅)₃B in CH₂Cl₂ gave [(C₆F₅)₂Br][(C₆F₅)_nBF_4−n] salts (n = 0-3). The mixture of anions could be converted to pure [BF₄]⁻ salts by treatment with BF₃·base.     

Explored routes to unknown polyfluoroorganyliodine hexafluorides, RFIF6

Two routes to R_FIF₆ compounds were investigated: (a) the substitution of F by R_F in IF₇ and (b) the fluorine addition to iodine in R_FIF₄ precursors. For route (a) the reagents C₆F₅SiMe₃, C₆F₅SiF₃, [NMe₄][C₆F₅SiF₄], C₆F₅BF₂, and 1,4-C₆F₄(BF₂)₂ were tested. C₆F₅IF₄ and CF₃CH₂IF₄ were used in route (b) and treated with the fluoro-oxidizers IF₇, [O₂][SbF₆]/KF, and K₂[NiF₆]/KF. The observed sidestep reactions in case of routes (a) and (b) are discussed. Interaction of C₆F₅SiX₃ (X = Me, F), C₆F₅BF₂, 1,4-C₆F₄(BF₂)₂ with IF₇ gave exclusively the corresponding ring fluorination products, perfluorinated cyclohexadiene and cyclohexene derivatives, whereas [NMe₄][C₆F₅SiF₄] and IF₇ formed mixtures of C₆F_nIF₄ and C₆F_nH compounds (n = 7 and 9). CF₃CH₂IF₄ was not reactive towards the fluoro-oxidizer IF₇, whereas C₆F₅IF₄ formed C₆F_nIF₄ compounds (n = 7 and 9). C₆F₅IF₄ and CF₃CH₂IF₄ were inert towards [O₂][SbF₆] in anhydrous HF. CF₃CH₂IF₄ underwent C-H fluorination and C-I bond cleavage when treated with K₂[NiF₆]/KF in HF. The fluorine addition property of IF₇ was independently demonstrated in case of perfluorohexenes. C₄F₉CFCF₂ and IF₇ underwent oxidative fluorine addition at −30 °C, and the isomers (CF₃)₂CFCFCFCF₃ (cis and trans) formed very slowly perfluoroisohexanes even at 25 °C. The compatibility of IF₇ and selected organic solvents was investigated. The polyfluoroalkanes CF₃CH₂CHF₂ (PFP), CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ (PFB), and C₄F₉Br are inert towards iodine heptafluoride at 25 °C while CF₃CH₂Br was slowly converted to CF₃CH₂F. Especially PFP and PFB are new suitable organic solvents for IF₇.     

Site directed synthesis of mono and disubstituted SF5-polyfluoroalkyl benzenes

A novel method for the preparation of o-, m-, p-SF₅CF₂CFYC₆H₄X (Y = Br, F and X = m-Br, p-Br, Cl, CH₃, CF₃, NO₂, o-NO₂, F, CF₃, CH(CH₃)₂) derivatives was devised by a two-step reaction: SF₅Br-addition to o-, m-, p-CF₂CFC₆H₄X followed by reaction of AgBF₄ with the o-, m-, p-SF₅CF₂CFBrC₆H₄X adducts. Additional studies have been carried out with several derivatives and includes the preparation of SF₅CF₂C(O)C₆H₅, p-CF₃CFBrC₆H₄NO₂, SF₅CF₂CF₂C₆H₃(NO₂)₂, SF₅CF₂CF₂C₆H₃(NH₂)₂, and an SF₅CF₂CF₂-containing polyimide and dye. The complete characterization (IR, NMR, and MS) of these compounds is given.     

Perfluoroethyl amines from the electrochemical fluorination of trimethylamine. Nmr and vibrational spectra of new fluoroalkyl amines

The perfluoroethyl amines C₂F₅N(CF₃)₂, C₂F₅N(CF₃)CHF₂, and C₂F₅N(CHF₂)₂ have been isolated from the electrofluorination of N(CH₃)₃ as well as C₂H₅N(CH₃)₂. Evidence is presented that, in the former case, the C₂F₅ compounds are formed by ·CF₃ attack on partly fluorinated trimethylamines NC₃F_9?nH_n, n = 1 to 3. The compounds have been characterized by analytical, nmr and vibrational spectroscopic methods.     

An efficient stereoselective preparation of cis-perfluoroalkenylzinc reagents [(E)-RFCFCFZnCl] by the metallation of 1H,1H-perfluoroalkanes and their derivatization to cis-1-arylperfluoroalkenes [(Z)-RFCFCFAr]

Various 1H,1H-perfluoroalkanes (R_FCF₂CH₂F, R_F = CF₃, C₂F₅, C₄F₉, C₅F₁₁, C₆F₁₃, C₁₀F₂₁) were metallated using LDA in a THF solution of ZnCl₂ at RT or −78 °C to produce the corresponding perfluoroalkenylzinc reagents (R_FCFCFZnCl) in a cis-selective fashion. An increased yield (75–83%) and cis-selectivity (>89%) of the perfluoroalkenylzinc reagents were observed for metallation reactions performed at −78 °C. The cis selectivity was excellent for 1H,1H-perfluoroalkanes with larger R_F groups (C₄F₉, C₅F₁₁, C₆F₁₃, >96%). The cis-perfluoroalkenylzinc [(E)-R_FCFCFZnCl] reagents were coupled with aryl iodides to obtain cis-1-arylperfluoroalkenes [(Z)-R_FCFCFAr] in 71–95% isolated yields. The cis-perfluoroalkenylzinc reagents upon iodinolysis produced cis-1-iodoperfluoroalkenes [(E)-R_FCFCFI] in 68–70% isolated yield.     

Kinetics and mechanism of atmospheric reactions of partially fluorinated alcohols

Gas-phase reactions typical of the Earth’s atmosphere have been studied for a number of partially fluorinated alcohols (PFAs). The rate constants of the reactions of CF₃CH₂OH, CH₂FCH₂OH, and CHF₂CH₂OH with fluorine atoms have been determined by the relative measurement method. The rate constant for CF₃CH₂OH has been measured in the temperature range 258–358 K (k = (3.4 ± 2.0) × 10¹³exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(1.5 ± 1.3) kJ/mol). The rate constants for CH₂FCH₂OH and CHF₂CH₂OH have been determined at room temperature to be (8.3 ± 2.9) × 10¹³ (T = 295 K) and (6.4 ± 0.6) × 10¹³ (T = 296 K) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The rate constants of the reactions between dioxygen and primary radicals resulting from PFA + F reactions have been determined by the relative measurement method. The reaction between O₂ and the radicals of the general formula C₂H₂F₃O (CF₃CH₂? and CF₃?HOH) have been investigated in the temperature range 258–358 K to obtain k = (3.8 ± 2.0) × 10⁸exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(10.2 ± 1.5) kJ/mol. For the reaction between O₂ and the radicals of the general formula C₂H₄FO (? HFCH₂O, CH₂F?HOH, and CH₂FCH₂?) at T = 258–358 K, k = (1.3 ± 0.6) × 10¹¹exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(5.3 ± 1.4) kJ/mol. The rate constant of the reaction between O₂ and the radicals with the general formula C₂H₃F₂O (?F₂CH₂O, CHF₂?HOH, and CHF₂CH₂?) at T = 300 K is k = 1.32 × 10¹¹ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. For the reaction between NO and the primary radicals with the general formula C₂H₂F₃O (CF₃CH₂? and CF₃?HOH), which result from the reaction CF₃CH₂OH + F, the rate constant at 298 K is k = 9.7 × 10⁹ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The experiments were carried out in a flow reactor, and the reaction mixture was analyzed mass-spectrometrically. A mechanism based on the results of our studies and on the literature data has been suggested for the atmospheric degradation of PFAs.     

Fluorinated cotelomers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropene (HFP): Synthesis, dehydrofluorination and grafting by amine containing an aromatic ring

The synthesis of C₆F₁₃CH₂C(CFCFCF₃)N-C₂H₄-C₆H₅ (11) from the addition of H₂N-C₂H₄-C₆H₅ onto C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF₂CFHCF₃ (3) is presented. C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF₂CFHCF₃ (3) and C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF(CF₃)CF₂H (3′) isomers were obtained from the thermal stepwise cotelomerization of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene with C₆F₁₃I, followed by the selective reduction of the iodine end atom. At 200 °C, the 3/3′ molar ratio reached 9.0. In contrast to selective reduction, dehydrofluorination led to various derivatives, which were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, and hence a reaction pathway could be suggested. The grafting of an amine containing an aromatic ring onto the cotelomers based on VDF and HFP occurred selectively on VDF/HFP diad and, in some instances a further step involving the formation of an imine was observed. The addition of 2-phenylethylamine onto the dehydrofluorinated intermediates was found to be quantitative.     

Preparation of ferrocenes with high fluorous-phase affinities

The reaction of 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)ferrocene with fluorous alkoxides having the general formula NaOCH₂(CF₂)_nCF₃ (n = 0, 2, 5, 7, and 8) afforded a series of ferrocenes of general formula {η⁵-4-[CF₃(CF₂)_nCH₂O]C₆F₄C₅H₄}₂Fe (1). The reaction of 1,1′-bis(4-tetrafluoropyridyl)ferrocene with the same fluorous alkoxides afforded a series of ferrocenes of general formula (η⁵-4-{2,6-[CF₃(CF₂)_nCH₂O]₂C₅F₂N}C₅H₄)₂Fe (2). Perfluoro(methylcyclohexane)/toluene partition coefficients increase with the number (2 or 4) and length (n) of the fluorous substituent. Complexes 1a and 2a (both n = 0) were structurally characterized.     

From hypervalent xenon difluoride and aryliodine(III) difluorides to onium salts: Scope and limitation of acidic fluoroorganic reagents in the synthesis of fluoroorgano xenon(II) and iodine(III) onium salts

Fluorinated organodifluoroboranes R_fBF₂ are in general suitable reagents to transform XeF₂ and RIF₂ into the corresponding onium tetrafluoroborate salts [R_fXe][BF₄] and [R(R_f)I][BF₄], respectively. (4-C₅F₄N)BF₂ and trans-CF₃CFCFBF₂ which represent boranes of high acidity form no Xe-C onium salts in reactions with XeF₂ but give the desired iodonium salts with RIF₂ (R = C₆F₅, o-, m-, p-C₆FH₄). The reaction of (4-C₅F₄N)BF₂ with XeF₂ ends with a XeF₂-borane adduct. C₆F₅Xe(4-C₅F₄N), the first Xe-(4-C₅F₄N) compound, was obtained when C₆F₅XeF was reacted with Cd(4-C₅F₄N)₂. We describe the synthesis of (4-C₅F₄N)IF₂ and reactions of (4-C₅F₄N)IF₂ and C₆F₅IF₂ with (4-C₅F₄N)BF₂. Analogous to [(4-C₅F₄N)₂I][BF₄] and [C₆F₅(4-C₅F₄N)I][BF₄] aryl(perfluoroalkenyl)iodonium salts [R(R′)I][BF₄] were obtained from RIF₂ (R = C₆F₅, o-, m-, p-C₆FH₄) and R′BF₂ (R′ = trans-CF₃CFCF, CF₂CF). The gas phase fluoride affinities pF⁻ of selected fluoroorganodifluoroboranes R_fBF₂ and their hydrocarbon analogs are calculated (B3LYP/6-31+G^*) and discussed with respect to their potential to introduce R_f-groups into hypervalent EF₂ bonds. Four aspects which influence the transformation of hypervalent EF₂ bonds (E = Xe, R′I) under the action of Lewis acidic reagents RAF_n−1 (A = B, P; n = 3, 5) into the corresponding [RE][AF_n+1] salts are presented and the important role of the acidity is emphasized. Fluoride affinities may help to plan the introduction of organo groups into EF₂ moieties and to expand the types of acidic reagents. Thus C₆H₅PF₄ with a pF⁻ value comparable to that of R_fBF₂ compounds is able to introduce the C₆H₅ group into RIF₂ (R = C₆F₅, p-C₆FH₄).     

Novel generation ponytails in fluorous chemistry: Syntheses of primary, secondary, and tertiary (nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl amines

(Nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl tosylate 4 was prepared in 65% yield from nonafluoro-tert-butanol 1 using commercially available reagents. Further reaction of 4 with HNR¹R² (R¹ = R² = H, CH₃; R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃) affords the appropriate (CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂NR¹R² amines in 20-69% yields. Improved overall yields of [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂]_3−nNR_n to 1 were obtained by the reaction of (CF₃)₃CONa 2 and (XCH₂CH₂)_3−nNR_n (X = Cl, n = 0, 1, 2, R = CH₃; X = CH₃SO₂O, n = 1, R = CH₃SO₂) nitrogen mustards and a similar reactive β-substituted ethyl amine. The title amines are mobile colorless liquids and volatile with steam. The bulky fluorous ponytail (CF₃)₃CO(CH₂)₂ displays high acidic stability and increases fluorous character almost as much as the classical straight-chain C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃ ponytail.     

Decomposition Mechanism of Fluorinated Compounds in Water Plasmas Generated Under Atmospheric Pressure

Decomposition mechanism of HFC-134a, HFC-32, and CF₄ in water plasmas at atmospheric pressure has been investigated. The decomposition efficiency of 99.9% can be obtained up to 3.17 mol kWh⁻¹ of the ratio of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) feed rate to the arc power and 1.89 mol kWh⁻¹ of the ratio of perfluorocarbon (PFC) feed rate to the arc power. The species such as H₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, and CF₄ were detected from the effluent gas of both PFC and HFC decomposition. However, CH₂F₂ and CHF₃ were observed only in the case of HFC decomposition. The HFC and PFC decomposition generate CH₂F, CHF_{x (x:1–2)}, and CF_{y (y:1–3)} radicals, then those radicals were subsequently oxidized by oxygen, leading to CO and CO₂ generation in the excess oxygen condition. However, when there is insufficient oxygen available, those radicals were easily recombined with fluorine to form by-product such as CH₂F₂, CHF₃, and CF₄.     

Halogen displacement chemistry with silver and alkali metal salts: Preparation of SF5-esters, alcohols, aliphatic olefins, acids and an iodide

It has been found that treatment of SF₅-alkyl halides, especially SF₅(CH₂)₂Br, with silver salts such as CH₃C(O)OAg, p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₃Ag, CF₃SO₃Ag and AgNO₃ provides convenient pathways for preparing the following ester compounds: SF₅CH₂CH₂R (R = CH₃COO, TosO, CF₃SO₃, NO₃), SF₅(CH₂)₃OTos, and SF₅(CF₂)₄(CH₂)₂OAc. Important derivatives prepared from these esters include SF₅(CH₂)₂OH; SF₅(CF₂)₄(CH₂)₂OH. Several alkenes SF₅C(Br)CH₂ and SF₅CH₂(COOCH₃)CCHC(O)OCH₃ are obtained using silver salts. The use of alkali metals salts with SF₅(CH₂)₃Br is studied and yields SF₅(CH₂)₃I; also, a pathway has been developed that extends for SF₅(CH₂)₃₋ the chain by two-carbon atoms and also produces the first SF₅-containing malonic acid.     

Synthesis and characterization of three new fluorovanadate complexes: N(C2H5)4[VOF4], N(CH3)4[VOF3Cl], N(C4H9)4[VOF3Br] and theoretical calculations of VOF4, VOF3Cl and VOF3Br ions

The reaction of VOF₃ with (C₂H₅)₄NF, (CH₃)₄NCl and (C₄H₉)₄NBr salts in anhydrous CH₃CN produced new complexes with the anion general formula [VOF₃X]⁻ in that (X = F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻). These were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Visible and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary point are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311G level of theory. Theoretical results showed that the VX (X = F, Cl, Br) bond length values for the [VOF₃X]⁻ in compounds 1-3 are 1.8247, 2.4031 and 2.5595 Å, respectively. Also, the VF₅ bond length values in [VOF₃X]⁻ are 1.824, 1.812 and 1.802 Å, respectively. These results reveal that the bond order for VX bonds decrease from compounds 1 to 3, while for VF₅ bonds, the bond orders increase. It can be concluded that the decrease of VX bonds lengths and the increase of VF₅ bond lengths in compounds 1-3 result from the increase of the hyperconjugation from compounds 1 to 3. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities for VOF₄⁻, VOF₃Cl⁻ and VOF₃Br⁻ are studied by means of theoretical and experimental methods. The calculated frequencies are in reasonable agreement with the experiment values. These data can be used in models of phosphoryl transfer enzymes because vanadate can often bind to phosphoryl transfer enzymes to form a trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the active site.     

First examples of stable polyfluorinated bis- and tris-(alkoxy)methyl cations

Stable polyfluorinated bis- and tris-(alkoxy)methyl cations were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding difluoroformals (R_fO)₂CF₂ (R_f = -CH₂CF₃, -CH(CF₃)₂, -CH₂CF₂Cl) with an excess of SbF₅. Although the cation (CF₃CH₂O)₂CF⁺ (1a) is stable at ambient temperature, the chlorinated analog (ClCF₂CH₂O)₂CF⁺ (3a) can be generated only at low temperature in SO₂ClF solvent and rapidly decomposes at ambient temperature. Although the salt [(CF₃)₂CHO]₂CF⁺Sb_nF_5n+1⁻ (2a) is slightly more stable than the salt of cation 3a, at ambient temperature it undergoes rapid disproportionation with formation of equal amounts of [(CF₃)₂CHO]₃C⁺Sb_nF_5n+1⁻ (2b) and CF₃OCH(CF₃)₂ (2c). Stable solid salt 2b (n = 2) was isolated and fully characterized by ¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reactions of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)oxirane with alcohols under phase transfer catalysis

It was demonstrated that the reaction of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)oxirane (1) with variety of alcohols could be successfully carried out under phase transfer catalysis conditions using sodium or potassium hydroxide as a base. For example, reaction of CH₃OH, C₂H₅OCH₂CH₂OH, HOCH₂CH₂OH with one or two moles of 1 in the presence of the catalyst [(C₄H₉)₄N⁺HSO₄⁻] gives the corresponding tertiary alcohols R[OCH₂C(CF₃)₂OH]_n (n=1 or 2) in 43-53% yield, along with some O[CH₂C(CF₃)₂OH]₂. Benzyl alcohol and phenol under similar conditions are less active, producing in the reaction with 1 the corresponding adducts ArOCH₂C(CF₃)₂OH in 31-35% yield. Fluorinated alcohols, such as CF₃CH₂OH, ClCF₂CH₂OH, HCF₂CF₂CH₂OH have much higher reactivity towards 1 giving ring opening products in 82-97% yield. Even in the reaction of hindered hexafluoro-iso-propanol the corresponding adduct was isolated in 43% yield. Surprisingly, the reaction of iso-propanol and epoxide 1, results in the formation of O[CH₂C(CF₃)₂OH]₂ as a major product, isolated in 56% yield. Possible mechanism for the formation of the last product was proposed.