Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.132, No.10, 3266-3266, 2010
Superelectrophiles and the Effects of Trifluoromethyl Substituents
Trifluoromethyl-substituted superelectrophiles were generated in superacid (CF3SO3H), and their chemistry was examined. The strong electron-withdrawing properties of the trifluoromethyl group are found to enhance the electrophilic character at cationic sites in superelectrophiles. This leads to greater positive-charge delocalization in the superelectrophiles. These effects are manifested by the unusual chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities shown by the superelectrophiles in chemical reactions.