Mechanism of Trifluoromethylation of Aryl Halides with CuCF3 and the Ortho Effect

A combined experimental (radical clock, kinetic, Hammett) and computational (DFT, MM) study of the trifluoromethylation reaction of aryl halides with CuCF3 reveals a nonradical mechanism involving Ar-X oxidative addition to the Cu(I) center as the rate determining step. The reaction is second order, first order in each reactant with Delta G(double dagger) approximate to 24 kcal/mol for Phi (computed Delta G(double dagger) = 21.9 kcal/mol). An abrupt change in the gradient on the Hammett plot of log(kR/ IcH) versus sigma(p) for 11 p-RC6H4I substrates produces two correlations (rho = +0.69 and +1.83), which is temptingly suggestive of two different reaction pathways. Only one mechanism is operational, however, as advocated by a single linear correlation with sigma(-)(p) (rho = +0.91), analysis of the experimental p values, close similarity of the transition states varying in R and displaying clear signs of -M interactions, and excellent reproduction of the plot by DFT. The long-known yet previously uncomprehended ortho effect has been quantified, for the first time, using the reaction of CuCF3 with a series of o-RC6H4Br: R(k(R)/k(H)) = H (1) < Me (3.5) < MeO (4) < CN (20) < CHO (250) < CO2Me (850) < NO2 (4300) < Ac (7300)