The use of boron Lewis acids as instigators of bond cleavage offers a number of synthetic possibilities. A unique feature of this class of reagents is the ability to functionalize otherwise inert C–F bonds. We summarize notable developments in C–F bond halogen exchange using Lewis acidic boron reagents and we conclude by featuring our group’s advances in activating CF3 groups by using boron trihalides.
Key words
halogen exchange - boron trihalides - C–F bond activation - trifluoromethyl group activation - C–F functionalization - Lewis acids