Defluorination of HFCs by a magnesium reagent

Abstract

Reaction of a series of HFCs with a main group reagent containing a Mg–Mg bond results in defluorination to form the corresponding magnesium fluoride complex. In the case of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) generation of the fluoride occurs alongside selective formation of 1,1-difluoroethene. DFT calculations have been carried out to better understand the selectivity and compare the barriers for sp³ C–F bond activation with sp³ C–H bond activation in this system.