CATALYTIC ACTIVATION OF CARBON-FLUORINE BONDS BY A SOLUBLE TRANSITION-METAL COMPLEX

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.