Abstract: There is provided a method of selectively replacing a carbon-hydrogen bond at an unactivated saturated sp3 hybridised carbon atom in an organic compound by a carbon-nitrogen bond, the method comprising reacting the compound with a fluorinating agent in a solvent reaction medium comprising a nitrile compound and providing a Lewis acid whereby the carbon-hydrogen bond is replaced by a carbon-nitrogen bond. Advantageously, the reaction may be performed in one stage and/or in one vessel. Advantageously, the method may be carried out at or just below ambient or room temperature.

Abstract: A method of fluorinating an organic compound comprising reacting an organic compound with a fluorinating agent characterized in that a perfluorocarbon compound is present in the reaction medium. The perfluorocarbon compound may replace an amount of a solvent which would otherwise be required for the reaction to proceed efficiently. The perfluorocarbon compound is readily recoverable after reaction and may be re-used in subsequent reactions. Additives to the reaction medium, such as 18-crown-6, may increase the amoun of solvent which may be replaced. The method is beneficial where solvent consumption would otherwise be large, or where solvent recovery would otherwise be difficult.

Abstract: A method of fluorinating a heterocyclic organic compound comprises the step of reacting a heterocyclic compound with elemental fluorine in the presence of another halogen. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a base.