Reaction of 1,3,5-trifluorotrinitrobenze with nucleophiles

1,3,5-Trifluorotrinitrobenzene (1) is shown to be a versatile intermediate for the preparation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,3,5-substituted trinitrobenzene derivatives. Its reaction with a number of representative N, O, C, and halogen nucleophiles is described. An unusually large cation effect is reported for its reaction with the ambident anion of dinitromethane.