Cobalt Fluorocarbene Complexes

Unusual nucleophilic cobalt fluorocarbene complexes ([CoI]CFR; R = F, CF3) are described. Only a
handful
of fluorocarbenes of first-row transition metals have been reported,
and these have exhibited electrophilic reactivity
at the metal–carbene bonds. The title compounds are the first
persistent/isolable cobalt fluorocarbenes and also rare examples of
metal fluorocarbenes with relatively nucleophilic MC bonds
(vs other metal fluorocarbene complexes), demonstrated by their reactions
with H+ and Me+ and their unusual stability
toward water. X-ray crystal structures reveal the shortest terminal
cobalt–carbene bonds reported to date, and DFT studies provide
details into the nature of these bonds.