Reactions of fluoroalkanes with Mg-Mg bonds: scope, sp3C-F / sp2C-F coupling and mechanism

Abstract

sp3C-F bonds of fluoroalkanes (7 examples; 1o, 2o and 3o) 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 sp3C-F and sp2C-F bonds. Calculations suggest that the sp3C-F bond activation step occurs by frontside nucleophilic attack of the Mg-Mg reagent on the fluoroalkane.