Selective reduction of a C[sbnd]Cl bond in halomethanes with Et3GeH at nanoscopic Lewis acidic Aluminium fluoride.

The selective activation of C Cl bonds of hydrochlorofluoromethanes and chloromethanes at moderate reaction conditions using ACF in a combination with Et 3 GeH is presented. The reactions of the chloromethanes (CH 3 Cl, CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 and CCl 4 ) in the presence of Et 3 GeH and ACF as catalyst led to the activation of only one C Cl bond resulting in the hydrodechlorination. Friedel-Crafts reactions with benzene as solvent are suppressed by Et 3 GeH. A selective hydrodechlorination of hydrochlorofluoromethanes was achieved, because a transformation of a C F bond into a C H bond by the combination of ACF with Et 3 GeH did not occur. Supporting Pulse TA ® experiments illustrated the interaction between the solid catalyst and Et 3 GeH, the solvent benzene or CH 2 Cl 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]