The nickel‐mediated [3+2] cycloaddition of 2‐trifluoromethyl‐1‐alkenes with alkynes afforded fluorine‐containing multi‐substituted cyclopentadienes in a regioselective manner. This reaction involves the consecutive two CF bond cleavage of a trifluoromethyl or a pentafluoroethyl group through β‐fluorine elimination.
Nickel-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-trifluoromethyl-1-alkenes with alkynes via domino C–F bond activation was achieved by sequential β-fluorine elimination. The nickel(II) fluoride species formed in this reaction was reduced by a diboron compound, regenerating the catalytically active nickel(0) species.