[reaction: see text] In the presence of 5 mol % of niobium(V) chloride, alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene derivatives were reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to give toluene derivatives in good yields. Stepwise, partial reduction of bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivative was also demonstrated.

No abstract

It was found that zero-valent niobium is an efficient catalyst for the intramolecular C-C coupling reactions of o-aryl and o-alkenyl alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluorotoluene derivatives. The superstrong C-F bonds of CF3 groups and neighboring C(sp2)-H bonds were doubly activated, and fluorenes and indenes were obtained in good yields. The niobium fluorocarbenoid species is proposed to be the key intermediate.

CF3 group of o-alkenyl-α,α,α-trifluorotoluenes underwent intramolecular coupling reaction with the alkene C–H bond under NbCl5/LiAlH4 system. Substituted indenes were obtained in good yields.

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