Streamlining Thionyl Tetrafluoride (SOF4) and Pentafluoro-Oxosulfate [OSF5]− Anions Syntheses

Abstract

A one pot room temperature synthesis of thionyl tetrafluoride (SOF4) from elemental fluorine (F2) and thionyl fluoride (SOF2) is reported. The selective decagram scale process (100 mmol) allows a quantitative preparation of SOF4 with high purity. The solid-state structure has also been elucidated and compared with the reported gas phase one. The use of this reagent for the formation of the emerging pentafluorooxosulfate [cat][OSF5] anions led to the preparation of multiple ion-pairs (cat=Ag, NEt3Me, PPN, PPh4) in different organic solvents. The SuFEx reservoir ability of this anion was studied and by tuning the solvent system, the reactivity of pure thionyl tetrafluoride was observed using Ag[OSF5] in THF and acetone.