Cu-Catalyzed Fluorination of Diaryliodonium Salts with KF

Abstract

A mild Cu-catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination of unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts with KF is described. This protocol preferentially fluorinates the smaller aromatic ligand on iodine(III). The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and proceeds with high chemoselectivity and functional group tolerance. DFT calculations implicate a Cu^I/Cu^III catalytic cycle