M. Aizenberg et D. Milstein, CATALYTIC ACTIVATION OF CARBON-FLUORINE BONDS BY A SOLUBLE TRANSITION-METAL COMPLEX, Science, 265(5170), 1994, pp. 359-361
Homogeneous catalytic activation of the strong carbon-fluorine bonds u
nder mild conditions was achieved with the use of rhodium complexes as
catalysts. The catalytic reactions between polyfluorobenzenes and hyd
rosilanes result in substitution of fluorine atoms by hydrogen atoms a
nd are chemo- and regioselective. With individual stoichiometric steps
observed and combined, and with intermediates isolated and fully char
acterized (including crystal structures), these systems demonstrate th
e effectiveness of a rational approach to catalytic design.