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Updated: May 31, 2026

Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes
Published on: September 8, 2013
Combining Ag(II) and Ag(I) Reactivity Enables Electrophotochemical Acyl Fluoride Installation on (Hetero)Arenes
Elaine Reichert Raguram1, Brandon M Campbell1, Jesse B Gordon1
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States.
This study introduces a novel electrophotocatalytic method using dual silver oxidation states to directly convert arenes into valuable acyl fluorides and perfluoroalkylated products. The process is efficient, tolerant of air and moisture, and recycles the silver catalyst.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Electrocatalysis
- Photocatalysis
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Existing silver(II) electrophotocatalytic methods have limitations.
- There is a need for new synthetic routes to fluorinated organic compounds.
- Dual oxidation states of silver offer unique reactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a direct fluorocarbonylation method for arenes using dual silver oxidation states.
- To synthesize acyl fluorides and perfluoroalkylated arenes.
- To explore the mechanistic pathways involved in these transformations.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical generation of CF2X radicals from Ag(II) carboxylates.
- Sustained Ag(II) turnover via electrochemical disproportionation of Ag(I).
- Halide abstraction by Ag(I) to form acyl fluorides.
- Mechanistic studies including crystallographic characterization of intermediates.
Main Results:
- Direct synthesis of acyl fluorides from diverse (hetero)arenes.
- Successful perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes.
- Identification of S_N1-like and S_N2-like pathways for acyl fluoride formation.
- Characterization of a rare difluoro-carbocation intermediate.
- Reaction tolerance to air and moisture, with no supporting electrolyte needed.
Conclusions:
- The dual reactivity of silver across Ag(II) and Ag(I) states enables novel fluorocarbonylation and perfluoroalkylation reactions.
- The developed method offers a direct, efficient, and versatile route to valuable fluorinated organic compounds.
- The silver catalyst can be recovered and reused, promoting atom economy.
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