Abstract:
Silver tetrafluoroborate (AgBF4) is a transition metal salt extensively used in organic
syntheses. This review provides insight into the use of the silver salt as a promoter in the synthesis
of compounds via the formation of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds. We summarised
articles where AgBF4 plays an important role in the activation of coupling sites. These include the
elimination of oxygen and sulphur leaving groups, hydride abstraction, halide abstraction and participation
in stereo-selective and regio-specific halogenation reactions. AgBF4-mediation in heterocyclisation
reactions, ring-opening and successive cyclisation reactions were also reviewed. The uses
of the AgBF4 in the heteroatom–heteroatom bond-forming reaction and in the formation of complexes
are beyond the scope of this review and were therefore not considered.
