Catalytic hydrodefluorination using cyclopentadienyl complexes of group 4 and rare earth metals

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dieter Lentz
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 225298454

The high bond energy and the kinetic inertness of C-F bonds have made the functionalization of organofluorine compounds one of the major challenges in modern organometallic chemistry. Bis(cyclopentadienyl)difluoridotitanium(IV) turned out to be a very effective precatalyst for the catalytic hydrodefluorination of fluoro alkenes like hexafluoropropene, using silanes as hydride source. By expansion of the substrate scope, this method is to be established as a tool for the synthesis of different partially fluorinated organic compounds. A systematic optimization shall result in a better performance, selectivity and functional group tolerance. This aim requires a detailed study of the reaction mechanism and influences of the ligands and the metal by experimental and theoretical methods.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants