eta2-Coordination and C-F activation of hexafluorobenzene by cyclopentadienylrhodium and -iridium complexes

The nature of CpRh-(PMe3)(n2-C6F6) and its Cp* analogs, Cp*Rh(PMe3)(n2-C6F6) and CpIr(PMe3)(n2-C6F6) is presented and their reactivities with each other are compared. The photochemical reactions of the compound and its analogs in low temperature matrices are also examined. Findings proved that hexafluorobenzene (C6F6) is a highly reactive compound with effective ligand and oxidation inhibition properties. It was also determined that the said compounds undergo different C-F insertion routes as shown by the resulting product's growth factor patterns.