Hydrodefluorination of Fluoroarenes Using Hydrogen Transfer Catalysts with a Bifunctional Iridium/NH Moiety

The hydrodefluorination of fluoroarenes with transfer hydrogenation catalysts using 2-propanol or potassium formate is described. With the aid of metal/NH cooperation, the C–N chelating Ir complexes derived from benzylic amines can efficiently promote the reduction involving the C–F bond cleavage under ambient conditions even in the absence of hydrosilanes or H2 gas, leading to the partially fluorinated products in good yields and with high selectivity.