Ni(0) or Cu(0) catalyzed cleavage of the unactivated C–Cl bond of 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133a) via a single electron transfer (SET) process

Abstract

The reductive cleavage of the unactivated carbon–chlorine bond of 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133a) via a single electron transfer (SET) process using transition-metal-catalysis has been achieved. Ni(0) or Cu(0) catalytic systems afford 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a) or 1,1-difluoroethylene (VDF) with excellent yields respectively. The formation of VDF may be due to the β-elimination of the 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl anion generated by SET between the corresponding radical and a Cu(I) intermediate.