C−H Bond Trifluoromethylation of Arenes Enabled by a Robust,High‐Valent Nickel(IV) Complex

The robust, high‐valent Ni^IV complex [(Py)₂Ni^IVF₂(CF₃)₂] (Py=pyridine) was synthesized and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. It reacts with aromatic compounds at 25 °C to form the corresponding benzotrifluorides in nearly quantitative yield. The monomeric and dimeric Ni^IIICF₃ complexes 2 ⋅Py and 2 were identified as key intermediates, and their structures were unambiguously determined by EPR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Preliminary kinetic studies in combination with the isolation of reaction intermediates confirmed that the C−H bond‐breaking/C−CF₃ bond‐forming sequence can occur both at Ni^IVCF₃ and Ni^IIICF₃ centers.     

A High‐Valent Manganese(IV)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Complex and Its Enhanced Oxidizing Reactivity

A mononuclear nonheme manganese(IV)–oxo complex binding the Ce⁴⁺ ion, [(dpaq)Mn^IV(O)]⁺–Ce⁴⁺ ( 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺), was synthesized by reacting [(dpaq)Mn^III(OH)]⁺ ( 2 ) with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN). 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, such as UV/Vis, EPR, CSI‐MS, resonance Raman, XANES, and EXAFS, showing an Mn?O bond distance of 1.69 Å with a resonance Raman band at 675 cm^?1. Electron‐transfer and oxygen atom transfer reactivities of 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ were found to be greater than those of Mn^IV(O) intermediates binding redox‐inactive metal ions ( 1 ‐Mⁿ⁺). This study reports the first example of a redox‐active Ce⁴⁺ ion‐bound Mn^IV‐oxo complex and its spectroscopic characterization and chemical properties.