Reactions of Fluoroalkanes with Mg−Mg Bonds: Scope, sp³C−F/sp²C−F Coupling and Mechanism

Abstract

sp³ C-F Bonds of fluoroalkanes (7 examples; 1°, 2° and 3°) undergo addition to a low-valent Mg-Mg species generating reactive organomagnesium reagents. Further reactions with a series of electrophiles results in a net C-F to C-B, C-Si, C-Sn or C-C bond transformation (11 examples, diversity). The new reactivity has been exploited in an unprecedented one-pot magnesium-mediated coupling of sp³ C-F and sp² C-F bonds. Calculations suggest that the sp³ C-F bond activation step occurs by frontside nucleophilic attack of the Mg-Mg reagent on the fluoroalkane.