Abstract
We report that the addition of a catalytic amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) shortens the induction period associated with the 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropoanol (HFIP)-promoted Friedel-Crafts reaction of benzylic fluorides. This faster initiation is due to TFA's strong hydrogen-bond donation capability, not its Brønsted acidity. The improved reaction conditions were applied to a set of substrates, demonstrating how they could improve yields and reliability of this transformation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Fluorine Chemistry |
Volume | 190 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Chemistry
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
Keywords
- Benzyl fluorides
- C-F bond activation
- Friedel-Crafts alkylation
- Hydrogen-bonding