The unusual chemical equilibria F3SSF ⇌ 2 SF2 and CF3SF2SCF3 ⇌ 2CF3SF

In order to understand more about the instability of sulfur difluoride, we have investigated the chemical interrelations between each of the monomers SF₂ and CF₃SF and the corresponding dimers F₃SSF and CF₃SF₂SCF₃. Thus we have found that SF₂ and CF₃SF exist in chemical equilibria with their dimers. These equilibria are unusual because they involve two different bonds (SF and SS). The equilibrium constants and dissociatíon enthalpies have been determined by i.r. and mass spectroscopic measurements.

The equilibrium between F₃SSF and SF₂ is disturbed by a decomposition reaction of these compounds yielding SF₄ and SSF₂. In both systems (1) and (2) the achievement of the equilibrium is comparatively slow at ?30 to 30 °C. The rates for dissociation and decomposition are strongly surface-dependent and the kinetics of the two processes have been studied separately. Under favorable conditions the half-lives at 298 K for the dissociation of F₃SSF and CF₃SF₂SCF₃ are found to be ca. 8.h and ca. 2 h, respectively, and for the decomposition of SF₂ to SF₄ and SSF₂ and CF₃SF to CF₃SF₃ and CF₃SSCF₃ (p?13 mbar) the values are ca. 10 h and 1 year respectively.