Cobalt fluorocarbene complexes

Abstract

Unusual nucleophilic cobalt fluorocarbene complexes ([CoI]=CFR; R = F, CF3) are described. Only a handful of fluorocarbenes of first-row transition metals have been reported, and these have exhibited electrophilic reactivity at the metal-carbene bonds. The title compounds are the first persistent/isolable cobalt fluorocarbenes and also rare examples of metal fluorocarbenes with relatively nucleophilic M=C bonds (vs other metal fluorocarbene complexes), demonstrated by their reactions with H+ and Me+ and their unusual stability toward water. X-ray crystal structures reveal the shortest terminal cobalt-carbene bonds reported to date, and DFT studies provide details into the nature of these bonds. © 2012 American Chemical Society.