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Abstract Visible‐light capture activates a thermodynamically inert CoIII−CF3bond for direct C−H trifluoromethylation of arenes and heteroarenes. New trifluoromethylcobalt(III) complexes supported by a redox‐active [OCO] pincer ligand were prepared. Coordinating solvents, such as MeCN, afford green, quasi‐octahedral [(SOCO)CoIII(CF3)(MeCN)2] (2), but in non‐coordinating solvents the complex is red, square pyramidal [(SOCO)CoIII(CF3)(MeCN)] (3). Both are thermally stable, and2is stable in light. But exposure of3to low‐energy light results in facile homolysis of the CoIII−CF3bond, releasing.CF3radical, which is efficiently trapped by TEMPO.or (hetero)arenes. The homolytic aromatic substitution reactions do not require a sacrificial or substrate‐derived oxidant because the CoIIby‐product of CoIII−CF3homolysis produces H2. The photophysical properties of2and3provide a rationale for the disparate light stability.
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This content will become publicly available on February 24, 2026
The Role of Electron Transfer in Copper‐Mediated C(sp 2 )−H Trifluoromethylation
Abstract We report copper(II) and copper(III) trifluoromethyl complexes supported by a pyridinedicarboxamide ligand (L) as a platform for investigating the role of electron transfer in C(sp2)−H trifluoromethylation. While the copper(II) trifluoromethyl complex is unreactive towards (hetero)arenes, the formal copper(III) trifluoromethyl complex performs C(sp2)−H trifluoromethylation of a wide range of (hetero)arenes. Mechanistic studies using the copper(III) trifluoromethyl complex suggest that the mechanism of arene trifluoromethylation is substrate‐dependent. When the thermodynamic driving force for electron transfer is high, the reaction proceeds through a previously unidentified single electron transfer (SET) mechanism, where an initial electron transfer occurs between the substrate and oxidant prior to CF3group transfer. Otherwise, a CF3radical release/electrophilic aromatic substitution (SEAr) mechanism is followed. These studies provide valuable insights into the role of strong oxidants and potential mechanistic dichotomy in Cu‐mediated C(sp2)−H trifluoromethylation.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1955284
- PAR ID:
- 10634791
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Volume:
- 64
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 1433-7851
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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