Air-stable Organoantimony (III) Perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes as highly efficient, selective, and recyclable catalysts for C–C and C–N bond-forming reactions

Abstract A series of air-stable organoantimony (III) perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes with an azastibocine framework {t-BuN(CH2C6H4)2SbOSO2C4F9 (2a); [t-BuN(CH2C6H4)2Sb(OH2)]+[OSO2X]−, [X = C6F5, (2b); C8F17, (2c)]} was synthesized and systematically characterized. These complexes exhibited good thermal stability and relatively strong Lewis acidity. Moreover, they showed high catalytic efficiency, selectivity and recyclability for Strecker reaction, Mannich-type reaction, cross-condensation of aldehydes with ketones, and amination of epoxides. Such complexes were applied to extend the synthesis of seven novel carbazole derivatives, which showed good inhibitory activity against CHT116 cells and HepG2 cells.