Recent advances in organic synthesis based on superelectrophilic activation
of alkynes, alkenes, allenes, and their trifluoromethyl substituted derivatives under the
action of Brønsted superacids (CF3SO3H, FSO3H, HF), strong Lewis acids (AlCl3,
AlBr3), conjugate Brønsted-Lewis superacids (CF3SO3H–SbF5, FSO3H–SbF5, HF–SbF5,
HBr–AlBr3, HCl–AlCl3) or superacidic H+-zeolites are considered. These reactions
proceed through an intermediate formation of carbocationic and other cationic species
and lead to the formation of various functionalized compounds, carbocycles,
heterocycles under mild conditions and in high yields of target products. In many cases,
cationic reaction intermediates are detected and thoroughly studied by means of NMR
in superacids (CF3SO3H, FSO3H), that help to prove reaction mechanisms.
Keywords: Acidic zeolites, Alkenes, Alkynes, Allenes, Brønsted superacids,
Carbocations, Carbocycles, Cyclization, DFT calculations, Enynones, Friedel-
Crafts reactions, Heterocycles, Hydroarylation, Ionic hydrogenation, Lewis acids,
NMR of cations, Superelectrophilic activations, Trifluoromethyl group, Vinyl
triflates.
