Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes
Published on: September 8, 2013
Lewis Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of Cyanidophosphates
Kevin Bläsing1, Stefan Ellinger2, Jörg Harloff1
1Institut für Chemie, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3a, 18059, Rostock, Germany.
Abstract:
Salts containing new cyanido(fluorido)phosphate anions of the general formula [PF6-n(CN)n](-) (n=1-4) were synthesized by a very mild Lewis-acid-catalyzed synthetic protocol and fully characterized. All [PF6-n(CN)n](-) (n=1-4) salts could be isolated on a preparative scale. It was also possible to detect the [PF(CN)5](-) but not the [P(CN)6](-) anion. The best results with respect to purity, yield, and low cost were obtained when the F(-)/CN(-) substitution reactions were carried out in ionic liquids.
Related Concept Videos
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Overview
Preparation of Nitriles
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Mechanism
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
Preparation of 1° Amines: Azide Synthesis
Azide ions act as good nucleophiles and react with unhindered alkyl halides to form alkyl azides. Alkyl azides do not participate in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, thereby eliminating the chances of polyalkylated products. Alkyl azides are reduced by hydride-based reducing agents, like lithium aluminum...
Lewis Acids and Bases

![[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59739.jpg&w=3840&q=50)