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Bench-stable reagents for modular access to persulfuranyl scaffolds
Renzhe Li1, Chang Liu1, Chao Hu1
1Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Nature Communications
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for pentafluorosulfanylation using stable reagents. This breakthrough expands access to SF5-containing molecules for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- The pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) group is a valuable isostere for tert-butyl and trifluoromethyl groups.
- Previous synthetic methods for incorporating the SF5 group have been limited, hindering its widespread application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a general and accessible platform for pentafluorosulfanylation.
- To expand the synthetic accessibility of molecules containing the SF5 group and related persulfuranyl moieties.
Main Methods:
- A novel pentafluorosulfanylation platform utilizing bench-stable solid reagents.
- Radical generation via decarboxylation and β-scission sequence.
- Adaptable reagent design for other persulfuranyl groups (e.g., SCF3, SF5).
Main Results:
- Established an operationally simple and general method for SF5 radical generation.
- Enabled a variety of straightforward chemical transformations.
- Demonstrated adaptability to synthesize trifluoromethyl tetrafluorosulfanyl and aryl tetrafluorosulfanyl compounds.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform significantly enhances the accessibility of SF5-containing molecules.
- This methodology provides practitioner-friendly access to challenging and biologically relevant sulfur(VI) entities.
- The reagent design offers versatility for synthesizing diverse persulfuranyl compounds.
