Understanding the pentafluorosulfanyl group and property-driven design of SF₅-containing compounds

The SF₅ group has recently gained prominence as a versatile and promising structural motif in synthetic organic chemistry, attracting considerable attention from organofluorine chemists as a significant framework for innovative research. Its distinctive electronic and steric features profoundly influence the reactivity of SF₅-containing molecules, offering opportunities for precise, controlled transformations. Notably, the SF₅ group is chemically robust yet can also serve as an effective leaving group or undergo defluorination. Recent advances have demonstrated the broad applicability of SF₅ derivatives across various chemical fields. This tutorial review outlines the fundamental aspects of the SF₅ motif and highlights how its unique properties shape the design and application of SF₅-containing compounds.