Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid 4-

Lewis Acid Catalyst. Jefford has reported that condensation reactions of 2-trimethylsiloxyfuran with aldehydes can be catalyzed by EtsSiOTf to give mainly the threo addition product (eq 8). Conversely, the erythro adduct is favored when fluoride ion is used as the catalyst. 

Fraser-Reid has reported that an equimolar mixture of N-iodosuccinimide and Et3SiOTf efficiently promotes the glycosy-lation of hindered glycoside donors with ri-pentenyl glycoside acceptors (eq 9).  

Solubility sol water and in many polar organic solvents such as DMF, sulfolane, DMSO, dimethyl sulfone, acetonitrile sol alcohols, ketones, ethers, and esters, but these generally are not suitable inert solvents (see below). 

Preparative Methods best prepared by basic hydrolysis of CF3SO2F followed by acidification.  

PuriScation distilled with a small amount of Tf20.  

Reaction with P2O5. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) reacts with an excess of Phosphorus(V) Oxide to give Trifluoromethanesulfonic Anhydride (eq 1), while treatment with a smaller amount of P2O5 (Tf0H P205 = 6 1) and slower distillation leads to trifluoromethyl triflate (eq 2)f 

The strong protonating property of TfOH is used to generate allyl cations from suitable precursors in low-tenperature ionic Diels-Alder reactions. 3,3-Diethoxypropene and 2-vinyl-l,3-dioxolane add to eyelohexa-1,3-diene in the presence of TfOH to give the corresponding Diels-Alder adducts, the latter in high yield (eq 4).  

---

Perchloric acid (HCIO4 Ho —13.0), fluorosulfuric acid (HSO3F Ho — 15.1), and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF3SO3H Ho —14.1) are considered to be superacids, as is truly anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. Complexing with Lewis acidic metal fluorides of higher valence, such as antimony, tantalum, or niobium pentafluoride, greatly enhances the acidity of all these acids. 

The perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids were fkst reported ki 1954. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid was obtained by the oxidation of bis(ttifluoromethyl thio) mercury with aqueous hydrogen peroxide (1). The preparation of a series of perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids derived from electrochemical fluotination (ECF) of alkane sulfonyl haUdes was also disclosed ki the same year (2). The synthetic operations employed when the perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid is derived from electrochemical fluotination, which is the best method of preparation, are shown ki equations 1—3. 

Yields of sulfonyl fluorides prepared by ECF vary depending on the particular stmcture. Chain degradation becomes more important as the chain length kicreases (6). Yields can vary from 96% for perfluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride (7) to 43—50% for perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride (8). Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid can be prepared via trifluoromethanesulfenyl chloride as shown ki equations 5—7 (9). 

Other preparations of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid kiclude oxidation of methyltrifluoromethyl sulfide under a variety of conditions (10,11). Perfluorosulfonyl fluorides have also been prepared by reaction of fluoroolefkis with sulfuryl fluoride (12,13). Chinese chemists have pubflshed numerous papers on the conversion of telomer-based alkyl iodides to sulfonyl fluorides (14,15) (eqs. 8 and 9) ... 

The first member of the series, CF SO H, has been extensively studied. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid [1493-13-6] is a stable, hydroscopic Hquid which fumes in air. Addition of an equimolar amount of water to the acid results in a stable, distillable monohydrate, mp 34°C, bp 96°C at 0.13 kPa (1 mm Hg) (18). Measurement of conductivity of strong acids in acetic acid has shown the acid to be one of the strongest protic acids known, similar to fluorosulfonic and perchloric acid (19). 

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is miscible in all proportions with water and is soluble in many polar organic solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and acetonitrile. In addition, it is soluble in alcohols, ketones, ethers, and esters, but these generally are not suitably inert solvents. The acid reacts with ethyl ether to give a colorless, Hquid oxonium complex, which on further heating gives the ethyl ester and ethylene. Reaction with ethanol gives the ester, but in addition dehydration and ether formation occurs. 

Alkyl esters of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, commonly called triflates, have been prepared from the silver salt and an alkyl iodide, or by reaction of the anhydride with an alcohol (18,20,21). Triflates of the 1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkanols, CF2S020CH2R can be prepared by the reaction of perfluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride with the dihydroalcohol in the presence of triethylamine (22,23). Triflates are important intermediates in synthetic chemistry. They are among the best leaving groups known, so they are commonly employed in anionic displacement reactions. 

The metallic salts of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid can be prepared by reaction of the acid with the corresponding hydroxide or carbonate or by reaction of sulfonyl fluoride with the corresponding hydroxide. The salts are hydroscopic but can be dehydrated at 100°C under vacuum. The sodium salt has a melting point of 248°C and decomposes at 425°C. The lithium salt of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid [33454-82-9] CF SO Li, commonly called lithium triflate, is used as a battery electrolyte in primary lithium batteries because solutions of it exhibit high electrical conductivity, and because of the compound s low toxicity and excellent chemical stabiUty. It melts at 423°C and decomposes at 430°C. It is quite soluble in polar organic solvents and water. Table 2 shows the electrical conductivities of lithium triflate in comparison with other lithium electrolytes which are much more toxic (24). 

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride, bp 84°C, is prepared by refluxing the acid over an excess of phosphorous pentoxide (18,26). The anhydride reacts instantaneously with ammonia or amines to form trifluoromethanesulfonamides. The anhydride reacts with most polar organic solvents. 

Several excellent review articles (28—31) cover the chemistry of the acid and its derivatives in great detail. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is available from the 3M Co. as Fluorochemical Acid FC-24 the lithium salt is available as Fluorochemical Specialties FC-122, FC-123, and FC-124 (32). 

The longer perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids are hydroscopic oily Hquids. Distillation of the acid from a mixture of its salt and sulfuric acid gives a hydrated mixture with melting points above 100°C. These acids show the same general solubiUties as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, but are insoluble in ben2ene, heptane, carbon tetrachloride, and perfluorinated Hquids. AH of the higher perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids have been prepared by electrochemical fluorination (20). 

Friedel-Crafts acylation using nittiles (other than HCN) and HCI is an extension of the Gattermann reaction, and is called the Houben-Hoesch reaction (120—122). These reactions give ketones and are usually appHcable to only activated aromatics, such as phenols and phenoHc ethers. The protonated nittile, ie, the nitrilium ion, acts as the electrophilic species in these reactions. Nonactivated ben2ene can also be acylated with the nittiles under superacidic conditions 95% trifluoromethanesulfonic acid containing 5% SbF (Hg > —18) (119). A dicationic diprotonated nittile intermediate was suggested for these reactions, based on the fact that the reactions do not proceed under less acidic conditions. The significance of dicationic superelectrophiles in Friedel-Crafts reactions has been discussed (123,124). 

Elemental sulfur reacts with alkanes such as cyclopentane in the presence of superacidic trifluoromethanesulfonic acid to give symmetrical dialkyl sulfides in moderate yields. 

Petfluotoalkanesulfonic acids also show high acidity. The parent trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid), CF SO H, is commercially prepared by electrochemical fluorination of methanesulfonic acid (214). It has an value of —14.1 (215,216). The higher homologues show slightly decreasing acidities. 

The catalysts used in the industrial alkylation processes are strong Hquid acids, either sulfuric acid [7664-93-9] (H2SO or hydrofluoric acid [7664-39-3] (HE). Other strong acids have been shown to be capable of alkylation in the laboratory but have not been used commercially. Aluminum chloride [7446-70-0] (AlCl ) is suitable for the alkylation of isobutane with ethylene (12). Super acids, such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid [1493-13-6] also produce alkylate (13). SoHd strong acid catalysts, such as Y-type zeoHte or BE -promoted acidic ion-exchange resin, have also been investigated (14—16). 

Esters of / fZ-amyl alcohol can be obtained by acylation of 2-methyl-2-butene in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (44). The esters produced, in high yields, from reaction of amyl alcohols with carboxyHc anhydrides, are used as intermediates for preparation of pyryflum salts (45,46) and alkaloids (47). Tria2oles prepared by acylation of 3-methyl-1-butanol are useful as herbicides (48). 

Sulfonic acids are such strong acids that in general they can be considered greater than 99% ionized. The piC value for sulfuric acid is —2.8 as compared to the piC values of —1.92, —1.68, and —2.8 for methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, and benzene sulfonic acid, respectively (3). Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid [1493-13-6] has a piC of less than —2.8, making it one of the strongest acids known (4,5). Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is also one of the most robust sulfonic acids. Heating this material to 350°C causes no thermal breakdown (6). 

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, also known as triflic acid [1493-13-6] is widely used ia organic syntheses and has been thoroughly reviewed (93,94). It was first prepared ia 1954 via the oxidation of bis(trifluoromethylthio)mercury with hydrogen peroxide [7722-84-1] (95). Several other routes of preparation have been disclosed (96—98). The acid exhibits excellent thermal and hydrolytic stabiUty, it is not readily oxidized or reduced, nor is it prone to fluoride anion generation. 

Opening by trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate yields an adduct (54) from which trifluoromethanesulfonic acid can be eliminated to give an allylic alcohol (Scheme 47) (79JA2738) [cf. base-promoted isomerization to allylic alcohols (Section 5.05.3.2.2)]. 

AcOOH, KBr, AcOH, NaOAc, 1.5 h, 20°, 82-92% yield. The SMOM group is stable to Bu4N F NaOMe/MeOH 4 N NaOH/dioxane/methanol A -iodosuccinimide, cat. trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. 

Alkynes react when heated with trifluoroacetic acid to give addition products. Mixtures of syn and anti addition products are obtained. Similar addition reactions occur with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. These reactions are analogous to acid-catalyzed hydration and proceed through a vinyl cation intermediate. 

The preparation of trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate was reported by Olah and Ohyama [29]. In this safe and practical method, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and fluorosulfonic acid are used [29] (equation 27). 

Amides of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflamides) can be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding amines with triflic anhydnde The most applicable m organic synthesis are N-phenyltnflamides, which can be used as mild and selective inflating reagents [UO, III]... 

In order to achieve high yields, the reaction usually is conducted by application of high pressure. For laboratory use, the need for high-pressure equipment, together with the toxicity of carbon monoxide, makes that reaction less practicable. The scope of that reaction is limited to benzene, alkyl substituted and certain other electron-rich aromatic compounds. With mono-substituted benzenes, thepara-for-mylated product is formed preferentially. Super-acidic catalysts have been developed, for example generated from trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, hydrogen fluoride and boron trifluoride the application of elevated pressure is then not necessary. 

The polymeric resin used for Merrifield solid-phase peptide synthesis (Section 26.8) is prepared by treating polystyrene with iV-(hydroxymethyl) phthalimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, followed by reaction with hydrazine. Propose a mechanism for both steps. 

---