Activation of a CH bond in polypyridine systems by acetyl hypofluorite made from F ₂

Activation of the relatively inactive polypyridine backbone with strong electrophilic fluorine, originating from acetyl hypofluorite (AcOF) enables attack of the acetoxy moiety at the α position to the heteroatom. Derivatives of bipyridine, phenanthroline and terpyridine systems have been acetoxylated or oxygenated within a few minutes usually in very good yields.