Solvents effects in reactions between perfluoroalkyliodides and cadmium

The interaction between perfluoroorgano iodides (RfI where Rf = F(CF3)2C(CF2CF2)3, n-C6F13,n-C8F17, F(CF3)2COCF2CF2,F(CF3)2CO(CF2CF2)4 andC2H5OC(O)(CF2CF2) with cadmium in an acetonitrilesolvent media produces primarily the coupled products (RfRf,72–90% yield) in addition to minor quantities of the reduction products (RfH). On the other hand ICF2CF2I and C1CF2CFC1I, by a 1,2-dehalogenation reaction, form the olefins CF2 = CF2 and CF2 = CFC1, respectively, as the principal products. The interaction of RfI compounds with cadmium in other solvent media, e.g. diethyl ether. tetrahydrofuran (THF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether(diglyme) were examined and found to produce a different ratio of RfRf and RfH products. {ft*}Present address: Fluidics Inc., P.O.Box 1886, Dayton, OH 45429 U.S.A.