Addition of tetrachloromethane to trifluoroethene catalyzed by copper complexes

Abstract

The addition of tetrachloromethane to trifiuoroethene catalyzed by copper complexes gives 1:1 adducts in up to 97% yield under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic activity and the regioselectivity of copper, ruthenium and palladium complexes and dibenzoyl peroxide have been compared. Differences in regioselectivity indicate that the copper-coordinated trichloromethyl radical is involved in copper-assisted addition reactions, whilst free-radical species in an uncomplexed form play a role in other cases.