Halogen Exchange Reaction of Aliphatic Fluorine Compounds with Organic Halides as Halogen Source

The halogen exchange reaction of aliphatic fluorine compounds with organic halides as the halogen source was achieved. Treatment of alkyl fluorides (primary, secondary, or tertiary fluorides) with a catalytic amount of titanocene dihalides, trialkyl aluminum, and polyhalomethanes (chloro or bromo methanes) as the halogen source gave the corresponding alkyl halides in excellent yields under mild conditions. In the case of a fluorine/iodine exchange, no titanocene catalyst is needed. Only C-F bonds are selectively activated under these conditions, whereas alkyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides are tolerant to these reactions.