Polar trifluoromethylation reactions: the formation of bis(trifluoromethyl)iodine(III) compounds and trifluoromethyl iodine(III) cations and anions

IX3 (X = Cl, OCOCF3, ONO2) reacts with Cd(CF3)2 complexes or Bi(CF3)3 to yield the corresponding CF3IX2 derivatives. 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic evidence is found for [I(CF3)2]+ and I(CF3)2X (X = Cl, OCOCF3) in the reactions of CF3IX2 with Cd(CF3)2 complexes. During the reaction of CF3IF2 and Hg(CF3)2 the new species I(CF3)2F and cis-[I(CF3)2F2]− are identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The reactions proceed under polar conditions and can be accelerated by the addition of a Lewis acid such as BF3, B(OCOCF3)3, or Sb(V) compounds. Difluoromethyl compounds are formed as by-products. Key words: polar trifluoromethylations, trifluoromethyl iodine(III) compounds, difluoromethyl group formation.