Activation of pentafluoropropane isomers at a nanoscopic aluminum chlorofluoride: hydrodefluorination versus dehydrofluorination.

The hydrofluorocarbon 245 isomers, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,2- pentafluoropropane, and 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa, HFC-245cb, and HFC-245eb) were activated through C-F bond activations using aluminium chlorofluoride (ACF) as a catalyst. The addition of the hydrogen source Et3SiH is necessary for the activation of the secondary and tertiary C-F bonds. Multiple C-F bond activations such as hydrodefluorinations and dehydrofluorinations were observed, followed by hydroarylation and Friedel-Crafts-type reactions under mild conditions.