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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Preparation and characterization of [CF3SO3(SiMe3)2]+[B(C6F5)4]-
Axel Schulz1, Johannes Thomas, Alexander Villinger
1Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3a, 18059 Rostock, Germany. axel.schulz@uni-rostock.de
Researchers synthesized a novel bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoromethylsulfonium cation using a weakly coordinating counterion. This stable cation was successfully isolated and characterized using advanced structural techniques, paving the way for new chemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Weakly coordinating anions are essential for stabilizing reactive cations.
- The synthesis of novel sulfonium cations remains an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize the bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoromethylsulfonium cation.
- To explore the utility of tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate as a counterion for stabilizing reactive cations.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the target cation using tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.
- X-ray diffraction for crystal structure determination.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy for structural elucidation.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of the bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoromethylsulfonium cation.
- Detailed structural characterization via X-ray, NMR, and IR spectroscopy.
- Confirmation of the cation's stability facilitated by the weakly coordinating counterion.
Conclusions:
- The bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoromethylsulfonium cation can be readily synthesized and isolated.
- Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate is an effective counterion for stabilizing this novel sulfonium cation.
- The characterized cation holds potential for applications in various chemical fields.
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