Fluorinations with complex metal fluorides. Part 5. Fluorination of nitriles over caesium tetrafluorocobaltate(III)

Abstract

Benzonitrile and the isomers of benzenedicarbonitrile (phthalo-, isophthalo-, and terephthalo-nitrite) have been fluorinated over caesium tetrafluorocobaltate(III) at elevated temperatures to give mixtures containing undecafluorocyclohexanecarbonitrile. In addition the dinitriles gave decreasing yields (1,4- > 1,3- > 1,2-) of the corresponding cyclohexanedicarbonitriles. Some reactions (addition, defluorination, hydrolysis, and reduction) of undecafluorocyclohexanecarbonitrile are described.