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Free keywords:
Lewis acids - frustrated Lewis pairs - steric hindrance - ketones - fluorine - phosphines
Abstract:
The ability of 2,3,4,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one and 2,3,4,5-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one to act as organic Lewis acids in the field of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry was evaluated. Whereas the former ketone formed zwitterionic adducts with all phosphines studied, the latter did not react with bulky phosphines and, instead, gave completely organic FLPs. Unfortunately, these did not activate dihydrogen, even under high pressures.