C(sp2)-CF3 Reductive Elimination from Well-Defined Argentate(III) Complexes [nBu4N][Ag(Ar)(CF3)3]

The preparation of a series of well-defined, shelf-stable square planar aryl­(tris­(trifluoromethyl))­argentate­(III) complexes [nBu4N]+[Ag­(Ar)­(CF3)3]− and their C­(sp2)-CF3 bond-forming reductive elimination are described. Mechanistic studies of the C­(sp2)-CF3 reductive elimination from these complexes, including kinetic studies, effect of temperature and solvent, and DFT calculations, indicate that the C­(sp2)-CF3 bond-forming process occurred via a concerted reductive elimination pathway.