Substitutions and dehydrogenations by 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-ethylene-1,1-dicarbonitrile via hydride abstraction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)85985-7

Substitution of benzylic H by the title compound (BTF) gives rise to products with -CH(CF₃)₂ terminus exclusively; an intermediate benzylic ion pair results from hydride transfer. Instead of ion recombination, proton transfer may be the concluding step generating dehydrogenation products and 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethane-1,1-dicarbonitrile.