Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated Carboranes by Cross-Metathesis of Allylcarboranes and Perfluoroalkylpropenes

A ruthenium complex (Hoveyda-Grubbs second-generation) catalyzed cross-metathesis of allylcarboranes with perfluoroalkylpropenes under standard reaction conditions furnished perfluoroalkylated carboranes in good isolated yields (31-53%). The reaction proceeded with various carboranes and carborane sandwich complexes bearing the bridging allylthioether moiety. This method constitutes a simple and versatile procedure for the preparation of fluorophilic carboranes.