Selective and Reversible Fluoride Complexation from Water by a Cyclic Tri(phosphonio)methanide Dication.

Area of Science:

• Organophosphorus Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Fluoride Chemistry

Background:

• Lewis acids are crucial for chemical synthesis and catalysis.
• Selective fluoride ion binding remains a challenge in chemistry.
• Phosphonium salts are versatile chemical entities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel P-based Lewis acid.
• To investigate its ability to bind fluoride ions.
• To explore its utility as a fluoride source and catalyst.

Main Methods:

• Intramolecular electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction.
• Quantum chemical calculations.
• Catalytic reaction studies.

Main Results:

• A novel tri(phosphonio)methanide dication (3^2+) was synthesized.
• Compound 3^2+ selectively and reversibly binds fluoride ions.
• The resulting fluorophosphorane ([3-F]OTf) acts as an anhydrous fluoride source and catalyst.

Conclusions:

• The novel P-based Lewis acid demonstrates efficient fluoride ion capture.
• The compound serves as a valuable reagent for anhydrous fluoride transfer and catalysis.
• This work expands the scope of organophosphorus chemistry in anion binding and catalysis.