Reaction of vanadium(V)
oxide trifluoride (VOF3) and the new “naked”
fluoride reagent [(LDipp)H][F] (LDipp =
1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-ylidene) leads to the isolation of [(LDipp)H][VOF4] (1) where the long
sought discrete [VOF4]− anion was finally
obtained. The neutral [(LDipp)VOF3] (2) complex was synthesized by a similar reaction between VOF3 and bulky N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand LDipp. In this context, we analyzed, by means of DFT calculations, intermolecular
interactions between [(LDipp)VOF3] (2) complexes in the crystal structure and realized that these
interactions have a significant effect on the V–Ftrans bond length. We further scrutinized ligand bonding within [(LDipp)VOF3] (2) and related complexes,
because, in this kind of complexes, a rather short distance between
CNHC and cis-halogen atoms has spurred
some discussion about the type of interactions between them. We provide
evidence of a minute π back-bonding into NHC ligands, which
is larger for chloride [(NHC)VOCl3] than fluoride
[(NHC)VOF3] complexes, although the fluoride ions
are, counterintuitively and to a larger degree, involved in back-bonding
than chloride ions. The influence of π back-bonding on V–Ftrans and V–Fcis bond lengths was also rationalized.
Finally, the hydrolysis of [(LDipp)VOF3] (2) product was studied and [(LDipp)H][VO2F2] (3) salt was obtained and characterized
as the most stable product in this system.