Electrochemical reactions. Part I. The preparation of aromatic fluorocarbons from fluorocyclohexadienes

Abstract

Hexafluorobenzene has been prepared in high yield by the electrolytic reduction at a mercury cathode of octafluorocyclohexa-1,3- and 1,4-dienes. Similarly pentafluorobenzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorotoluene were obtained from suitable fluorocyclohexadienes. Some polarographic data are presented and a reaction mechanism consistent with these is proposed.