Controlled monodefluorination and alkylation of C(sp 3 )–F bonds by lanthanide photocatalysts: importance of metal–ligand cooperativity

The controlled functionalization of a single fluorine in a CF3 group is difficult and rare. Photochemical C-F bond functionalization of the sp3-C-H bond in trifluorotoluene, PhCF3, is achieved using catalysts made from earth-abundant lanthanides, (CpMe4)2Ln(2-O-3,5- t Bu2-C6H2)(1-C{N(CH)2N(iPr)}) (Ln = La, Ce, Nd and Sm, CpMe4 = C5Me4H). The Ce complex is the most effective at mediating hydrodefluorination and defluoroalkylative coupling of PhCF3 with alkenes; addition of magnesium dialkyls enables catalytic C-F bond cleavage and C-C bond formation by all the complexes. Mechanistic experiments confirm the essential role of the Lewis acidic metal and support an inner-sphere mechanism of C-F activation. Computational studies agree that coordination of the C-F substrate is essential for C-F bond cleavage. The unexpected catalytic activity for all members is made possible by the light-absorbing ability of the redox non-innocent ligands. The results described herein underscore the importance of metal-ligand cooperativity, specifically the synergy between the metal and ligand in both light absorption and redox reactivity, in organometallic photocatalysis