Perfluoroalkyl and -aryl Zinc Ate Complexes: Generation, Reactivity, and Synthetic Application

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/chem.201501811

A combination of dimethylzinc, perfluoroalkyl iodide, and LiCl afforded a new type of perfluoroalkyl (R_F) zinc ate complex. These complexes show much greater thermal stability than conventional perfluorinated metal species, such as R_F-lithium species and Grignard reagents, and they can be used at room temperature or higher. The results of DFT calculations on the origin of the enhanced stability are reported and the synthetic utility of R_F-zincate complexes is demonstrated. The magnificent ate: A combination of dimethylzinc, perfluoroalkyl iodide, and LiCl afforded a new type of perfluoroalkyl (R_F) zinc ate complex. These complexes show greater thermal stability than conventional perfluorinated metal species and they can be used at room temperature or higher. The results of DFT calculations on the origin of the enhanced stability are reported and the synthetic utility of R_F-zincate complexes is demonstrated.