A new carboxylic acid with branched ponytails for the solubilization of Mn(II) and Co(II) ions in perfluorocarbons

The synthesis of a carboxylic acid (C8F17(CH2)3)2CHCOOH 3 bearing two long branched perfluoroalkyl-alkyl chains is described. This acid is highly soluble in perfluorocarbons and is a useful ligand for the preparation of transition metal complexes that are soluble in fluorinated media. This is illustrated by the preparation of the manganese(II)- and cobalt(II)-carboxylate complexes, both of which are soluble in perfluorocarbons and are thus potentially interesting starting materials for metal-catalyzed reactions under fluorous biphasic procedures.