A Class of Phase-Transfer Catalyst with Interionic Strain: Insight into the Bonding of Disubstituted N- vs Carbene-Stabilized N<sup>I</sup>-Centered Cations
The straightforward synthesis of a class of nitrogen-based phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) having markedly dissociated anions due to interionic donor-donor "ion pair strain" and use for catalyzing benzylation and benzylic fluorination is reported. Provided also is insight into the bonding of disubstituted N- vs so-called divalent carbene-stablized N-I-centered cations and the unprecedented finding of a cyclopropenium based C-H... pi(aryl) interaction.