C(sp2)-CF3 Reductive Elimination from Well-Defined Argentate(III) Complexes [nBu4N][Ag(Ar)(CF3)3

Abstract

The preparation of a series of well-defined, shelf-stable square planar aryl(tris(trifluoromethyl))argentate(III) complexes [nBu4N]+[Ag(Ar)(CF3)3]− and their C(sp2)-CF3 bond-forming reductive elimination are described. Mechanistic studies of the C(sp2)-CF3 reductive elimination from these complexes, including kinetic studies, effect of temperature and solvent, and DFT calculations, indicate that the C(sp2)-CF3 bond-forming process occurred via a concerted reductive elimination pathway.