C(Sp(3))-F Bond Activation Of Cf3-Substituted Anilines With Catalytically Generated Silicon Cations: Spectroscopic Evidence For A Hydride-Bridged Ru-S Dimer In The Catalytic Cycle

Heterolytic splitting of the Si-H bond mediated by a Ru-S bond forms a sulfur-stabilized silicon cation that is sufficiently electrophilic to abstract fluoride from CF3 groups attached to selected anilines. The ability of the Ru-H complex, generated in the cooperative activation step, to intramolecularly transfer its hydride to the intermediate carbenium ion (stabilized in the form of a cationic thioether complex) is markedly dependent on the electronic nature of its phosphine ligand. An electron-deficient phosphine thwarts the reduction step but, based on the Ru-S catalyst, half of an equivalent of an added alkoxide not only facilitates but also accelerates the catalysis. The intriguing effect is rationalized by the formation of a hydride-bridged Ru-S dimer that was detected by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. A refined catalytic cycle is proposed.