Computational study of the reaction of C6F6 with [IrMe(PEt3)3]: identification of a phosphine-assisted C-F activation pathway via a metallophosphorane intermediate.

Density functional theory calculations have been used to model the reaction of C6F6 with [IrMe(PEt3)3], which proceeds with both C-F and P-C bond activation to yield trans-[Ir(C6F5)(PEt3)2(PEt2F)], C2H4, and CH4 (Blum, O.; Frolow, F.; Milstein, D. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1991, 258). Using a model species, trans-[IrMe(PH3)2(PH2Et)], a low-energy mechanism involving nucleophilic attack of the electron-rich Ir metal center at C6F6 with displacement of fluoride has been identified. A novel feature of this process is the capture of fluoride by a phosphine ligand to generate a metallophosphorane intermediate [Ir(C6F5)(Me)(PH3)2(PH2EtF)]. These events occur in a single step via a 4-centered transition state, in a process that we have termed "phosphine-assisted C-F activation". Alternative mechanisms based on C-F activation via concerted oxidative addition or electron-transfer processes proved less favorable. From the metallophosphorane intermediate the formation of the final products can be accounted for by facile ethyl group transfer from phosphorus to iridium followed by beta-H elimination of ethene and reductive elimination of methane. The interpretation of phosphine-assisted C-F activation in terms of nucleophilic attack is supported by the reduced activation barriers computed with the more electron-rich model reactant trans-[IrMe(PMe3)2(PMe2Et)] and the higher barriers found with lesser fluorinated arenes. Reactivity patterns for a range of fluoroarenes indicate the dominance of the presence of ortho-F substituents in promoting phosphine-assisted C-F activation, and an analysis of the charge distribution and transition state geometries indicates that this process is controlled by the strength of the Ir-aryl bond that is being formed.