Halogenated Trityl Cations as Easy‐to‐Access Super Electrophiles

Abstract Herein, we present the easy‐to‐access synthesis of the perfluorotrityl cation ( 15F + ) with commercial GaCl 3 and the further functionalization of the para ‐fluorine atoms of 15F + via halodefluorination using trimethylsilyl halides TMSX (X=Cl, Br). This gives access to equally reactive halogenated trityl derivatives ( p ‐3Cl12F + and p ‐3Br12F + ), which can be handled at room temperature. The impact of the para ‐exchange on the electronic structure is determined by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Finally, the new synthons′ high hydride ion affinities are demonstrated computationally and experimentally by hydride abstraction from the short‐chain, linear alkanes n ‐pentane and n ‐butane.