Issue 2, 2008

Understanding organofluorine chemistry. An introduction to the C–F bond

Abstract

Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table. When bound to carbon it forms the strongest bonds in organic chemistry and this makes fluorine substitution attractive for the development of pharmaceuticals and a wide range of speciality materials. Although highly polarised, the C–F bond gains stability from the resultant electrostatic attraction between the polarised Cδ+ and Fδ– atoms. This polarity suppresses lone pair donation from fluorine and in general fluorine is a weak coordinator. However, the C–F bond has interesting properties which can be understood either in terms of electrostatic/dipole interactions or by considering stereoelectronic interactions with neighbouring bonds or lone pairs. In this tutorial review these fundamental aspects of the C–F bond are explored to rationalise the geometry, conformation and reactivity of individual organofluorine compounds.

Graphical abstract: Understanding organofluorine chemistry. An introduction to the C–F bond

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
01 Aug 2007
First published
17 Oct 2007

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008,37, 308-319

Understanding organofluorine chemistry. An introduction to the C–F bond

D. O'Hagan, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2008, 37, 308 DOI: 10.1039/B711844A

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