S(vi) Lewis acids: fluorosulfoxonium cations

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis

Background:

• Sulfur-based compounds are versatile in chemical applications.
• Lewis acids are crucial catalysts in organic reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop new sulfur-based Lewis acids.
• To explore the acidity of novel fluorosulfoxonium cations.

Main Methods:

• Oxidation of aryl-sulfoxides using Xenon difluoride (XeF2).
• Fluoride abstraction reactions.
• Experimental and computational studies.

Main Results:

• Synthesis of difluorodiarylsulfoxides.
• Formation of Lewis acidic fluorosulfoxonium cations.
• Characterization of acidity derived from the S-F σ* orbital.

Conclusions:

• Established a new synthetic route to S-based Lewis acids.
• Demonstrated the Lewis acidity of fluorosulfoxonium cations.
• Provided insights into the electronic origins of their acidity.