How many carbanions can an organic molecule accommodate? The formation of purely organic carbanions with multiple charges is challenging as charge stabilization cannot be achieved through metal coordination. Previously, only quaternary ammonium dicarbanion salts had been reported. By using highly electron-deficient trifluoromethanesulfonyl (triflyl or Tf) groups, the formation of a purely organic tricarbanion has been realized for the first time.
Keywords: carbanions; highly charged anions; purely organic tricarbanion; tetraalkylammonium cation; triflyl stabilization.
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