Syntheses and Structures of Bis(azole)difluorosulfuranes

Bis(imidazole)sulfur difluoride (4), bis(pyrazole)sulfur difluoride (6), and bis(1,2,4-triazole)sulfur difluoride (8) are formed in the reactions of N-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole, N-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazole, and 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1,2,4-triazole with SF(4), in high yield. The ring systems in these three molecules occupy equatorial positions in the pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal coordination sphere of the central sulfur atoms. The angles between the planes of the ring substituents and the FSF axis for 4 and 6 are in the range 23.6-35.3 degrees, and in 8 the triazole rings are almost parallel (deviation 1.7 degrees ). The interaction between the heterocyclic substituents and the sulfur centers and their influence on the axial and equatorial bonds is discussed.