title: In situ activation of benzyl alcohols with XtalFluor-E: formation of 1,1-diarylmethanes and 1,1,1-triarylmethanes through Friedel-Crafts benzylation.
abstract: The Friedel-Crafts benzylation of arenes using benzyl alcohols activated in situ with XtalFluor-E is described. A wide range of 1,1-diarylmethanes and 1,1,1-triarylmethanes were prepared under experimentally simple and mild conditions, without the need for a transition metal or a strong Lewis acid. Notably, the reactivity observed demonstrates the potential of XtalFluor-E to induce C-OH bond ionization and SN1 reactivity of benzylic alcohols.
authors.affiliation: Canada Research Chair in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CGCC, PROTEO, Département de chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada. jean-francois.paquin@chm.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Desroches
authors.forename: Pier Alexandre
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Champagne
authors.forename: Yasmine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benhassine
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Paquin
mesh_terms: D019905:Benzyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000737:chemistry*; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; C551695:diethylaminodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate; D019905:Benzyl Alcohol; D008697:Methane