Unprecedented C–F bond cleavage in perfluoronaphthalene during cobaltocene reduction

Abstract

The C–F bond activation of perfluoronaphthalene by 5-SIDipp led to the formation of dicationic salts with two fluorides (3·2HF₂ ) or heptafluorodiborate (3·2B₂F₇) as counter-anions. The anion exchange reaction of 3·2B₂F₇ with NBu₄PF₆ afforded a highly luminescent 3·2PF₆. The in situ addition of cobaltocene in the reaction mixture of 5-SIDipp and perfluoronaphthalene led to a distinct Co(I) species.