Aromatic Fluorination by Decomposition of Triazenes in Ionic Liquids

The aromatic fluorination method involving the acid-catalyzed decomposition of a triazene in an ionic liquid is a very convenient and efficient way to prepare a variety of aromatic fluorides in a lab-scale. It should be particularly useful for the preparation aryl fluorides substituted with electron withdrawing substituents. Fluorination of triazene 1 (1.0 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (1.2 mmol) in an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][ BF₄ ], 2.5 mL) proceeds very smoothly at 80 ∘C with or without an external source of fluoride, providing 73% yield in 30 min. Unlike diazonium salts, triazene precursors are stable enough to be stored for a long period of time without a noticeable decomposition.