Reactions of Zinc Dialkyls with (Perfluorophenyl)boron Compounds: Alkylzinc Cation Formation vs C₆F₅ Transfer

Reaction between ZnR2 and [H(OEt2)2][B(C6F5)4] in ether leads to the salts [RZn(OEt2)3][B(C6F5)4], while mixtures of ZnR2 (R = Me, Et) and B(C6F5)3 in toluene-d8 undergo facile alkyl/C6F5 group exchange to give Zn(C6F5)2·(toluene). Mixtures of ZnR2 and B(C6F5)3 in hydrocarbon/diethyl ether solvent mixtures react with alkyl transfer to afford the ion pairs [RZn(OEt2)3][RB(C6F5)3], whereas the reaction of ZnEt2 with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] in toluene-d8 proceeds with β-H abstraction to give ethene and Ph3CH, with the subsequent rapid formation of Zn(C6F5)2.