C-F bond cleavage via metal-ligand cooperation in a Ni-CF3 complex to give a stable difluorocarbenoid.

A facile C-F bond cleavage occurs at the Ni-CF3 fragment in a bis(trifluoromethyl)nickel(II) complex supported by the naphthyridine-functionalized phosphine ligand, yielding a difluorocarbenoid stabilized by forming a bond to the remote N-donor. This reaction is accompanied by dearomatization of the naphthyridine backbone and deprotonation of the CH2 arm.