Electrophilic Rh^I catalysts for arene H/D exchange in acidic media: evidence for an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism

摘要

A series of new rhodium (I) complexes supported by bidentate nitrogen-donor ligands with varying electronic and steric properties were synthesized in situ and evaluated for catalytic arene C−H/D activation. In trifluoroacetic acid (HTFA), these complexes are proposed to mediate H/D exchange of arene C−H/D bonds by an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism that involves Rh-mediated activation of HTFA (or DTFA). DFT calculations support the proposed pathway for the H/D exchange reactions.