Dis-assembly of a Benzylic CF3 Group Mediated by a Niobium(III) Imido Complex

All three C–F bonds in CF3-substituted arenes are activated by a niobium imido complex, driven by the formation of strong Nb–F bonds. The mechanism of this transformation was studied by NMR spectroscopy, which revealed the involvement of Nb­(III). Attempts to extend this chemistry to nonaromatic CF3 groups led to intramolecular reactivity.