The relative reactivity of singlet pentafluorophenylnitrene with a standard set of alkenes was determined. The singlet nitrene is found to be most reactive towards electron-rich alkenes, as expected, but the selectivity spread is very small, In terms of its selectivity towards alkenes, singlet pentafluorophenylnitrene is analogous in its properties to singlet phenylcarbene.
ABRAMOVITSCH R. A.; CHALLAND S. R.; YAMADA Y., J. ORG. CHEM. <JOCE-AH>, 1975, 40, NO 11, 1541-1547