The ionic liquid [bmim]Br as an alternative medium for the catalytic cleavage of aromatic C–F and C–Cl bonds

The potential of [bmim]Br as an alternative to aprotic dipolar solvents in nickel-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation reactions is demonstrated. Hydrodechlorination of pentafluorochlorobenzene proceeds under the action of zinc in aqueous [bmim]Br. Under the above conditions aromatic C–F bonds also undergo slow cleavage. The reaction is significantly accelerated in the presence of nickel complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline. In the case of pentafluoroacetanilide highly regioselective ortho-hydrodefluorination leading to the formation of 3,4,5-trifluoroacetanilide is observed.