The direct replacement of aromatic fluorine in hexafluorobenzene has hitherto been possible only by the use of nucleophilic reagents. In this investigation, the replacement of nuclear fluorine by nonnucleophilic, or weakly nucleophilic, reagents was achieved by reaction at relatively high temperatures, 300 to 850 °C. For example, the reaction of hexafluorobenzene with such reagents as bromine, ...

A study on the arylation of heteroatom nucleophiles by using activated haloarenes, with or without metal catalysts, is reported. A discussion concerning the involvement of traces of metals is presented, supported by an unexpected ''ligand'' effect in the absence of added metal catalysts. We believe that the frontier between nucleophilic aromatic substitution and catalysis will likely prove to b...