Radical-cation Mechanism of the Anodic Fluorination of Organic Compounds

The current state of the problem of the electrochemical fluorination of organic compounds is surveyed, and the mechanism of the substitution of hydrogen by fluorine during anodic oxidation in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and in aprotic organic solvents is discussed. Formation of a carbon–fluorine bond during oxidation at platinum in the latter solvents is shown to be due to reaction of an organic radical-cation with a fluoride anion present in the electrolyte. Arguments are given in support of a mechanism of electrochemical fluorination in hydrogen fluoride not involving oxidation of the fluoride anion.
A list of 160 references is included.