Products of electrochemical fluorination of tripropylamine and triallylamine

Products of electrochemical fluorination of tripropylamine and triallylamine were studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The use of these methods allowed identification of the structures and isomeric composition of components of the electrolysis products.     

The effect of substituents and operating conditions on the electrochemical fluorination of alkyl phenylacetates in Et3N·4HF medium

Selective electrochemical fluorination of alkyl phenylacetates (Ph-CH₂-COOR, where R is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, i-propyl and sec-butyl) under galvanostatic conditions were reported in Et₃N·4HF medium. Preparative electrolysis experiments were carried out both in pre-electrolysed dry Et₃N·4HF and the same electrolyte medium without pre-electrolysis. Very little hydrolysed fluorinated products were obtained in pre-electrolysed medium where as significant quantities of hydrolysed products leading to fluorinated phenylacetic acid were obtained from Et₃N·4HF without pre-electrolysis. Under optimum experimental conditions up to 87% selectivity of monofluoro ester could be achieved. Difluoro alkyl phenylacetate, monofluoro and difluoro phenylacetic acids were the other predominant side products obtained. The hydrolysis appears to be initiated by tautomeric transformation of proton after the initial electro oxidative formation of the cation radical. ¹⁹F as well as ¹H NMR spectroscopy have been employed to identify the minor constituents formed during the electro oxidative process.     

电化学氟化的新进展

电化学氟化是利用电极反应将氟直接引入有机或无机物的一种重要方法。有机物的电化学氟化方法有两种: 一是Simons于1941年发明的, 用镍作阳极, 在无水氟化氢溶液中, 电解制备全氟化合物的方法。此方法在近年来有不少改进。另一是1970年Rozhkov提出的, 以有机溶剂(如含Et3N.3HF的MeCN)为介质, 在铂阳极上,氧化得到单氟化产物的方法。本文全面地综述了这两种方法, 并着重于最新民发展。     

Detection of free radicals in electrochemical fluorination

Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 255–256, January, 1991.     

The electrochemical fluorination of acetyl fluoride

The electrochemical fluorination of acetyl fluoride in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride to produce trifluoroacetyl fluoride was investigated in a microprocessor-aided modified Simons' reactor. The product was recovered in acetic acid as trifluoroacetic acid. The experiments were carried out at a controlled anodic potential using a Cu/CuF₂ reference electrode. Product yields of 36 - 45%, current efficiencies of 30 to 50% and energy efficiencies of 11 – 23% were obtained.Experimental results of this investigation are presented and discussed.     

Selective fluorination of adamantanes by an electrochemical method

Selective fluorination of adamantanes was achieved by the electrochemical fluorination method, using Et 3N-5HF as electrolyte and a fluorine source. Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrafluoroadamantanes were selectively prepared from adamantanes by controlling the oxidation potential, and the fluorine atoms were introduced selectively at the tertiary carbons. Adamantanes that have functional groups such as ester, cyano, and acetoxymethyl were also fluorinated selectively.     

Highly selective electrochemical fluorination of organic compounds in ionic liquids

Recent studies on electrochemical partial fluorination in ionic liquid fluoride salts are reviewed. At first, historical background and some problems of electrochemical fluorination in organic solvents are briefly mentioned. Solvent-free electrochemical fluorinations in ionic liquids are explained as follows. Ultrasonication was found to improve both the yield and current efficiency for electrochemical fluorination of α-phenylthioacetate, which is mainly attributable to marked mass transport promotion of the substrate and the suppression of anode passivation. Highly regioselective and efficient fluorination of cyclic ethers, lactones, and cyclic carbonate was achieved in Et₄NF·4HF and Et₃N·5HF. Selective fluorination of hardly oxidizable phthalide was realized using a combination of imidazolium and fluoride ionic liquids. The unique effect of imidazolium ionic liquids on electrochemical fluorodesulfurization of 3-phenylthiophthalide was explained. Reuse of ionic liquids for electrochemical fluorination is also possible.     

Selective electrochemical fluorination of organic molecules and macromolecules in ionic liquids

This article provides an outline of recent studies on selective electrochemical fluorination in ionic liquid fluoride salts toward green sustainable chemistry. First, a brief historical background of electrochemical fluorination in organic solvents is provided, and some particular problems and unique solvent effects associated with this technique are briefly mentioned. Second, recent progress in selective fluorination and fluorodesulfurization of organic molecules and macromolecules in ionic liquids using direct and indirect electrolysis with recyclable mediators is reviewed.     

The electrochemical fluorination of octanoyl fluoride with electrolyte circulation

A modification to the standard method of electrochemical fluorination is described which embodies a forced flow of electrolyte through the electrode pack. A preliminary study of flow characteristics through an electrode pack was carried out.Good yields of perfluorooctanoyl fluoride and associated perfluorinated products are reported. The nature of the anode surface was studied before and after fluorination by scanning electron microscopy.     

Production of MoF6 via electrochemical fluorination

A new process for the electrochemical preparation of the fluorinating agent MoF₆ is described. Solutions fo MoF₄ in anhydrous HF are electrolyzed in a multielectrode cell at 20°C, 5.4÷5.7V cell voltage and 50÷100 A/m² current density, using nickel anodes and cathodes. A new modified Simons cell has been designed, equipped with a stirring system for the efficient recirculation of the electrolyte and with a condenser held at ?15°C.The reaction product MoF₆ (b.p. 35°C) dissolves in the electrolyte, contributing to its conductivity and in part is volatilized together with HF and some byproduct fluorine.Gaseous MoF₆ passing beyond the condenser can be easily collected and separated in a nickel trap held at low temperature.The process presents substantial advantages in comparison with known alternatives, such as the synthesis of MoF₆ from the elements Mo and F₂ at 250°C or the dismutation reaction: 2MoCl₅ + 10HF → MoF₄ + MoF₆ + 10 HClPreparation of the starting material MoF₄, operating conditions and experimental results are illustrated.     

Unique solvent effects on selective electrochemical fluorination of organic compounds

Recent studies on solvent effects on electrochemical partial fluorination are reviewed. At first, the historical background and some problems of electrochemical fluorination in organic solvents like acetonitrile (MeCN) are briefly mentioned. Ethereal solvents like dimethoxyethane (DME) and a mixture of DME and MeCN were found to improve both the yield and current efficiency for electrochemical fluorination since these solvent systems effectively suppress anode passivation and overoxidation of fluorinated products once formed during the electrolysis. It was also found that DME stabilizes radical cationic intermediates of 4-arylthio-1,3-dioxolan-2-ones and 3-phenylthiophthalide leading to α-fluorination while dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) destabilizes them leading to fluorodesulfurization. On the other hand, imidazolium ionic liquids and liquid fluoride salts like Et₄NF·4HF and Et₃N·5HF exhibited similar effects to CH₂Cl₂. Selective fluorination of hardly oxidizable phthalide was also achieved using a combination of two kinds of ionic liquids (imidazolium triflate and liquid fluoride salts).     

Selective aliphatic fluorination by halogen exchange in mild conditions

HF-Base media, in particular (HF)₁₀-pyridine or (HF)₃-triethylamine, allow aliphatic chlorine-fluorine exchanges on acid-sensitive molecules. Depending on the nature (pyridine or triethylamine), stoichiometry of the base and temperature, selective mono-, di-, or tri-chlorine-fluorine exchanges on trichloromethyl groups alpha to sulfur, oxygen and carbon atoms can be obtained.     

Correlation between impedance spectroscopy and bubble-induced mass transport in the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

In the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide, high currents need to be employed to obtain large production rates, thus implying that mass transport of reactants and products is of crucial importance.This aspect can be investigated by employing a model that depicts the local environment for the reduction reactions. Simultaneously, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, despite being a versatile technique, has rarely been adopted for studying the mass transport features during the carbon d...     

Carbon-chain isomerization during the electrochemical fluorination in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride—a mechanistic study

The compounds i-C₄H₉SO₂F, i-C₃H₇SO₂F and cyclo-C₃H₇C(O)F have been subjected to electrochemical fluorination in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The resulting products were fully analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. From the reaction balances, literature data and quantum chemical calculations, a new mechanism for carbon-chain isomerization during the electrochemical fluorination (ECF) is proposed. The key step in the formation of isomeric products is believed to be a ring closure reaction involving carbo-cationic or biradical intermediates.     

Effect of surface fluorination on the electrochemical and photoelectrocatalytic properties of nanoporous titanium dioxide electrodes

Titanium dioxide is a widely used photocatalyst whose properties can be modified by fluoride adsorption. This work is focused on the effect of surface fluorination on the electrochemical and photoelectrocatalytic properties of TiO(2) nanoporous thin films. Surface fluorination was achieved by simple addition of HF to the working solution (pH 3.5). Open circuit potential as well as ex situ XPS measurements verify that surface modification takes place. Fluorination triggers a significant capacitance increase in the accumulation potential region, as revealed by dark voltammetric measurements for all the TiO(2) samples studied. The photoelectrocatalytic properties (measured as photocurrents under white light illumination) depend on the substrate being oxidized and, in some cases, on the nature of the TiO(2) sample. In particular, the results obtained for electrodes prepared with a mixed phase (rutile + anatase) commercial nanopowder (PI-KEM) indicate that the processes mediated by surface trapped holes, such as the photooxidation of water or methanol, are accelerated while those occurring by direct hole capture from the adsorbed state (formic acid) are retarded. The photooxidation of catechol and phenol is also enhanced upon fluorination. In such a case, the effect can be rationalized on the basis of a diminished recombination and a surface displacement of both the oxidizable organic substrates and the poisoning species formed as a result of the organics oxidation. Photoelectrochemical and in situ infrared spectroscopic measurements support these ideas. In a more general vein, the results pave the way toward a better understanding of the photocatalysis phenomena, unravelling the importance of the reactant adsorption processes.     

Optimization of HDPE direct fluorination conditions by XPS studies

A fluorination reactor was designed and built in the laboratory. The optimal conditions of fluorination within the reactor were selected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fluorinated surfaces of a film and a plaque of pure high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This reactor was used to post-mould fluorinate plaques and films of a range of mixtures of virgin and recycled HDPE with and without (re)introduction of additives. The ability to be fluorinated has shown no dependence on the composition virgin/recycled HDPE.Comparison of in-line and post-mould fluorinated samples showed that fluorine concentration profile in depth is thinner in the in-line fluorinated sample when compared with the post-mould fluorinated sample, though the fluorination degree in the extreme surface is larger in the in-line fluorinated sample. This is attributed to a migration of lower surface energy chain blocks towards the surface in the material at high temperatures, which is the case in the in-line fluorination, hindered in the post-mould fluorination where maximum temperature is below the melting point to keep the macroscopic shape. The additives played a minor role in the ability of the surface to be fluorinated.     

Simons electrochemical fluorination of substituted homopiperazines(hexahydro-1,4-diazepines) and piperazines

Simons electrochemical fluorination (ECF) of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine, methyl 4-ethylhomopiperazin-1-ylacetate and 1,4-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4-homopiperazine was studied. For comparison, ECF of three piperazines with a N-(methoxycarbonylmethyl) group(s) was also studied. ECF of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine gave a low yield of corresponding perfluoro(1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine) together with perfluoro(2,6-diaza-2,6-dimethylheptane) as the major product. Corresponding perfluoro(homopiperazines) with mono- and/or di-(fluorocarbonyldifluoromethyl) groups [CF₂C(O)F] at the 1- and/or 4-position were formed in low yields from methyl 4-ethylhomopiperazin-1-ylacetate and 1,4-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4-homopiperazine, respectively. These new seven-membered perfluoro(1,4-dialkyl-1,4-homopiperazines) were accompanied by the formation of mono- and/or di-basic linear perfluoroacid fluorides resulting from the CC bond scission at the 2- and 3-positions of the ring. From mono- and/or di-N-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-substituted piperazines, corresponding perfluoropeperazines having the acid fluoride group(s) were formed in low yields.     

Effect of surface fluorination on the electrochemical behavior of petroleum cokes for lithium ion battery

Surface structure change and electrochemical behavior of fluorinated petroleum coke samples (petroleum cokes: petroleum coke and those heat-treated at 1860 °C, 2300 °C and 2800 °C, abbreviated to PC, PC1860, PC2300 and PC2800, respectively) have been investigated. Surface oxygen of petroleum coke was decreased by the fluorination using elemental fluorine. Raman and EPR spectroscopies revealed that surface fluorination increased surface disorder and lattice defects. ¹⁹F NMR spectrum suggests that distribution of fluorine atoms in PC fluorinated 300 °C was similar to that in graphite fluoride with covalent CF bonds. Surface areas of fluorinated petroleum cokes were nearly the same as those of non-fluorinated ones or only slightly increased by fluorination, except PC fluorinated at 300 °C. It is noted that first coulombic efficiencies of PC2300 and PC2800 were highly increased to 80-84% by the fluorination at 300 °C. These values of 80-84% were 12-18% higher than those of non-fluorinated PC2300 and PC2800.