Reaction of the fluoride anion with acetonitrile. Chloroform and methylene chloride

19F and 1H NMR spectra of the F− anion in CH3CN and CD3CN solutions show that the F− anion can abstract a proton from CH3CN resulting in the slow formation of the bifluoride and acetonitrile anions. With chloroform or methylene chloride the F− anion undergoes halogen exchange reactions at room temperature. These reactions demonstrate the exceptional reactivity of the free fluoride anion when present as a highly soluble salt.