Cyanophenylphosphanes, Ph2PCN or PhP (CN) 2, do not react with Me3SiCF3 or Me3SiC6F5 in the absence of cyanide ions. Catalytic amounts of ionic cyanides such as [NEt4] CN,[18-crown-6-K] CN or NaCN initiate perfluoroorganylation reactions. The trifluoromethylphosphines, Ph2PCF3 and PhP (CF3) 2, as well as the pentafluorophenylphosphines, Ph2PC6F5 and PhP (C6F5) 2, are isolated in 60–75% ...