Here, the addition of H–H, Be–Be, B–B, and B–H bonds to SnII is studied by experimental and theoretical means. We report the first examples of B–B and Be–Be bond additions to a main group metal centr...

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A series of boron, aluminum, and gallium difluoride complexes [{(ArNCMe)2CH}MF2] (M = B, Al, Ga) are reported as catalysts for the defluorofunctionalization of electron-deficient arenes. Thiodefluorination reactions between TMS–SPh and poly(fluorinated aromatics) proceed under forcing conditions. Evidence is presented for the fluoride entering the catalytic cycle through a metathesis reaction with TMS–SPh to form metal thiolate intermediates, e.g., [{(ArNCMe)2CH}MF(SPh)], which are then nucleophiles for addition to the aromatic substrate, likely through a concerted SNAr mechanism. Attempts to expand the scope of reactivity to include the hydrodefluorination of electron-deficient arenes met with limited success. Activity could, however, be recovered through the addition of NaBArF4 as a catalytic additive (ArF = 3,5-C6H3(CF3)2). NMR titrations suggest that NaBArF4 is capable of coordinating with aluminum and gallium fluoride complexes, most likely through weak M–F---Na interactions (M = Al, Ga), and can play a role in lowering the barrier of metathesis between [{(ArNCMe)2CH}MF2] and Et3SiH to form the group 13 hydrido fluoride [{(ArNCMe)2CH}M(H)F], facilitating catalytic turnover. DFT calculations indicate that this weak interaction leads to a polarization of the M–F bond. The discovery of this additive effect has potentially broad implications in developing new reactivity and applications of thermodynamically stable metal fluorides.

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Aryl aldehydes are key synthetic intermediates in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. They are generated on scale (>1000 kg) through the palladium-catalyzed formylation of aryl bro...