A Persistent α‐Fluorocarbanion and Its Analogues: Preparation, Characterization, and Computational Study

Fluoro power: In agreement with theoretical studies on α-fluorocarbanions an X-ray crystal structure shows the α-fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methide anion adopts a pyramidal configuration (see picture). High-level calculations and NMR spectroscopy studies demonstrate that electron-withdrawing substituents play a crucial role in modulating the properties of bis(phenylsulfonyl)methide anions.