First example of perfluoroalkylation of a quasi-aromatic encapsulating ligand: 2,5-Dithiahexane-assisted reaction of the iron(II) diiodoclathrochelate with trifluoromethylcopper(I)

The perfluoroalkylation of iron(II) diiodoclathrochelate precursor with (CF3)Cu afforded mono- and bis-trifluoromethylated cage complexes in moderate yields, which were characterized using spectral methods and X-ray diffraction. According to cyclic voltammetry data, the ribbed functionalization of the iron clathrochelates with trifluoromethyl substituent(s) destabilizes both their oxidized and reduced forms.