Electrophilic RhI catalysts for arene H/D exchange in acidic media: Evidence for an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism

• Rh(I) catalyzed H/D exchange.
• Ligand effects.
• Electrophilic aromatic substitution.

A series of new rhodium (I) complexes supported by bidentate nitrogen-donor ligands with varying electronic and steric properties were synthesized in situ and evaluated for catalytic arene C–H/D activation. In trifluoroacetic acid (HTFA), these complexes are proposed to mediate H/D exchange of arene C–H/D bonds by an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism that involves Rh-mediated activation of HTFA (or DTFA). DFT calculations support the proposed pathway for the H/D exchange reactions.

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