Multidimensional SuFEx Click Chemistry: Sequential Sulfur(VI) Fluoride Exchange Connections of Diverse Modules Launched From An SOF4 Hub

Sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) is a new family of click chemistry based transformations that enable the synthesis of covalently linked modules via S^VI hubs. Here we report thionyl tetrafluoride (SOF₄) as the first multidimensional SuFEx connector. SOF₄ sits between the commercially mass‐produced gases SF₆ and SO₂F₂, and like them, is readily synthesized on scale. Under SuFEx catalysis conditions, SOF₄ reliably seeks out primary amino groups [R‐ NH₂ ] and becomes permanently anchored via a tetrahedral iminosulfur(VI) link: R−N=(O=)S(F)₂. The pendant, prochiral difluoride groups R−N=(O=) SF₂ , in turn, offer two further SuFExable handles, which can be sequentially exchanged to create 3‐dimensional covalent departure vectors from the tetrahedral sulfur(VI) hub.     

SuFEx Chemistry of Thionyl Tetrafluoride (SOF4) with Organolithium Nucleophiles: Synthesis of Sulfonimidoyl Fluorides,Sulfoximines, Sulfonimidamides,and Sulfonimidates

Thionyl tetrafluoride (SOF₄) is a valuable connective gas for sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) click chemistry that enables multidimensional linkages to be created via sulfur–oxygen and sulfur–nitrogen bonds. Herein, we expand the available SuFEx chemistry of SOF₄ to include organolithium nucleophiles, and demonstrate, for the first time, the controlled projection of sulfur–carbon links at the sulfur center of SOF₄‐derived iminosulfur oxydifluorides (R¹−N=SOF₂). This method provides rapid and modular access to sulfonimidoyl fluorides (R¹−N=SOFR²), another array of versatile SuFEx connectors with readily tunable reactivity of the S−F handle. Divergent connections derived from these valuable sulfonimidoyl fluoride units are also demonstrated, including the synthesis of sulfoximines, sulfonimidamides, and sulfonimidates.     

SuFEx Chemistry of Thionyl Tetrafluoride (SOF4) with Organolithium Nucleophiles: Synthesis of Sulfonimidoyl Fluorides,Sulfoximines, Sulfonimidamides,and Sulfonimidates

Thionyl tetrafluoride (SOF₄) is a valuable connective gas for sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) click chemistry that enables multidimensional linkages to be created via sulfur–oxygen and sulfur–nitrogen bonds. Herein, we expand the available SuFEx chemistry of SOF₄ to include organolithium nucleophiles, and demonstrate, for the first time, the controlled projection of sulfur–carbon links at the sulfur center of SOF₄‐derived iminosulfur oxydifluorides (R¹?N=SOF₂). This method provides rapid and modular access to sulfonimidoyl fluorides (R¹?N=SOFR²), another array of versatile SuFEx connectors with readily tunable reactivity of the S?F handle. Divergent connections derived from these valuable sulfonimidoyl fluoride units are also demonstrated, including the synthesis of sulfoximines, sulfonimidamides, and sulfonimidates.     

Biocompatible SuFEx Click Chemistry: Thionyl Tetrafluoride (SOF4)‐Derived Connective Hubs for Bioconjugation to DNA and Proteins

We report here the development of a suite of biocompatible SuFEx transformations from the SOF₄‐derived iminosulfur oxydifluoride hub in aqueous buffer conditions. These biocompatible SuFEx reactions of iminosulfur oxydifluorides (R‐N=SOF₂) with primary amines give sulfamides (8 examples, up to 98 %), while the reaction with secondary amines furnish sulfuramidimidoyl fluoride products (8 examples, up to 97 %). Likewise, under mild buffered conditions, phenols react with the iminosulfur oxydifluorides (Ar‐N=SOF₂) to produce sulfurofluoridoimidates (13 examples, up to 99 %), which can themselves be further modified by nucleophiles. These transformations open the potential for asymmetric and trisubstituted linkages projecting from the sulfur(VI) center, including versatile S?N and S?O connectivity (9 examples, up to 94 %). Finally, the SuFEx bioconjugation of iminosulfur oxydifluorides to amine‐tagged single‐stranded DNA and to BSA protein demonstrate the potential of SOF₄‐derived SuFEx click chemistry in biological applications.     

SuFEx on the Surface: A Flexible Platform for Postpolymerization Modification of Polymer Brushes

Polymer brushes present a unique architecture for tailoring surface functionalities due to their distinctive physicochemical properties. However, the polymerization chemistries used to grow brushes place limitations on the monomers that can be grown directly from the surface. Several forms of click chemistry have previously been used to modify polymer brushes by postpolymerization modification with high efficiency, however, it is usually difficult to include the unprotected moieties in the original monomer. We present the use of a new form of click chemistry known as SuFEx (sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange), which allows a silyl ether to be rapidly and quantitatively clicked to a polymer brush grown by free‐radical polymerization containing native ‐SO₂F groups with rapid pseudo‐first‐order rates as high as 0.04 s^?1. Furthermore, we demonstrate the use of SuFEx to facilely add a variety of other chemical functional groups to brush substrates that have highly useful and orthogonal reactivity, including alkynes, thiols, and dienes.     

SuFEx Click: New Materials from SOxF and Silyl Ethers

New forms of click chemistry present new opportunities in materials science. Sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) is a recently discovered click reaction between molecules containing SO_xF groups and silyl ethers, two functionalities that are orthogonal to all other known click chemistries, that generates sulfate or sulfonate connections upon the addition of certain organobases or fluoride sources. SuFEx also has several important advantages over other click reactions in that it is insensitive to ambient oxygen and water, and its precursor materials, especially SO_xF, are chemically, UV, and thermally inert. This Concept article focuses on the unique reactivity of SuFEx and its relation to building high molecular weight polymers and surface coatings, both of which make it a powerful new tool for materials science.     

Ethene-1,1-disulfonyl Difluoride (EDSF) for SuFEx Click Chemistry: Synthesis of SuFExable 1,1-Bissulfonylfluoride Substituted Cyclobutene Hubs

We present the synthesis of 1,1-bis(fluorosulfonyl)-2-(pyridin-1-ium-1-yl)ethan-1-ide, a bench-stable precursor to ethene-1,1-disulfonyl difluoride (EDSF). The novel SuFEx reagent, EDSF, is demonstrated in the preparation of 26 unique 1,1-bissulfonylfluoride substituted cyclobutenes via a cycloaddition reaction. The regioselective click cycloaddition reaction is rapid, straightforward, and highly efficient, enabling the generation of highly functionalized 4-membered ring (4MR) carbocycles. These carbocycles are valuable structural motifs found in numerous bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically relevant small molecules. Additionally, we showcase diversification of the novel cyclobutene cores through selective Cs₂CO₃-activated SuFEx click chemistry between a single S−F group and an aryl alcohol, yielding the corresponding sulfonate ester products with high efficiency. Finally, density functional theory calculations offer mechanistic insights about the reaction pathway.     

Cu-catalyzed endo-selective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with ethenesulfonyl fluorides: Efficient access to chiral pyrrolidine-3-sulfonyl fluorides

Cu-catalyzed endo-selective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with ethenesulfonyl fluorides (ESFs) was successfully developed, this protocol provided an efficient and facile method to a wide range of chiral pyrrolidine-3-sulfonyl fluorides with good to excellent results (up to 87% yield, >20:1 dr, 94% ee). Some other chiral sulfonyl derivatives, such as sulfonamide and sulfonate, were easily accessible through simple transformations with high yields, which demonstrated that the cycloaddition products could be synthetically useful in the sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry.     

Pentafluorsulfanylamine und Sulfanylammonium-Salze

Pentafluorosulfanylamines and Sulfanylammonium Salts . From the addition of HF to sulfurtetrafluorideimides N-alkylpentafluorosulfanylamines RNHSF₅(2a, 2b: R=CH₃, C₂H₅) are obtained in quantitative yield. N, N-dialkylpentafluorosuIfanylamines Et₂NSF₅(5a) and pip-SF₅ (5b) are isolated from the reaction of the appropriate sulfurdifluoronitridearnides NSF₂NR₂ and HF/SF₄. Protonation of the amines with the superacidic system HF/AsF₅ gives stable pentafluorosulfanyl-ammonium salts SF₅NHRR′_. AsF₆ (12: R = R′ = CH₃; 14: R=R′=H; 10: R=CH₃, R′ = H). Under the same conditions the adduct AsF₅· NSF₂CF(CF₃)₂ (15) forms a cation with hexacoordinated sulfur (trans-H₃NSF₄CF(CF₃)₂^?AsF₆⁶: 16), while with Asp₅ · NSF₂NMe₂ (17) the reaction stops at tetracoordination (HNSF₂NMe₂⁺AsF₆ : 18).     

Bifluoride Ion Mediated SuFEx Trifluoromethylation of Sulfonyl Fluorides and Iminosulfur Oxydifluorides

SuFEx is a new‐generation click chemistry transformation that exploits the unique properties of S?F bonds and their ability to undergo near‐perfect reactions with nucleophiles. We report here the first SuFEx‐based procedure for the efficient synthesis of pharmaceutically important triflones and bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfur oxyimines from sulfonyl fluorides and iminosulfur oxydifluorides, respectively. The new process involves rapid S?F exchange with trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane (TMSCF₃) upon activation by potassium bifluoride in anhydrous DMSO. The reaction tolerates a wide selection of substrates and proceeds under mild conditions without need for chromatographic purification. A tentative mechanism is proposed involving nucleophilic displacement of S?F by the trifluoromethyl anion via a five‐coordinate intermediate. The utility of late‐stage SuFEx trifluoromethylation is demonstrated through the synthesis and selective anticancer properties of a bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfur oxyimine.     

NSF3 und NSF2NMe2 als Liganden in der metallorganischen Chemie

Thiazyltrifluoride NSF₃ and Thiazyldifluoridedimethylamide NSF₂NMe₂: Ligands in Organometallic Chemistry From the reaction of [Re(CO)₅SO₂]⁺AsF₆^? ( 1 ) and [CpFe(CO)₂SO₂]⁺AsF₆^? ( 6 ) with NSF₃ ( 2 ) and NSF₂NMe₂ ( 4 ) the complexes [Re(CO)₅NSF₃]⁺AsF₆^? ( 3 ), [Re(CO)₅NSF₂NMe₂]⁺AsF₆^? ( 5 ), [CpFe(CO)₂NSF₃]⁺AsF₆^? ( 7 ), and [CpFe(CO)₂NSF₂NMe₂]⁺AsF₆^? ( 8 ) were obtained. The compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography, the ligand properties of 2 and 4 are discussed.     

A Heck–Matsuda Process for the Synthesis of β‐Arylethenesulfonyl Fluorides: Selectively Addressable Bis‐electrophiles for SuFEx Click Chemistry

A Heck–Matsuda process for the synthesis of the otherwise difficult to access compounds, β‐arylethenesulfonyl fluorides, is described. Ethenesulfonyl fluoride (i.e., vinylsulfonyl fluoride, or ESF) undergoes β‐arylation with stable and readily prepared arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates in the presence of the catalyst palladium(II) acetate to afford the E‐isomer sulfonyl analogues of cinnamoyl fluoride in 43–97 % yield. The β‐arylethenesulfonyl fluorides are found to be selectively addressable bis‐electrophiles for sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) click chemistry, in which either the alkenyl moiety or the sulfonyl fluoride group can be the exclusive site of nucleophilic attack under defined conditions, making these rather simple cores attractive for covalent drug discovery.     

SuFEx-enabled,chemoselective synthesis of triflates,triflamides and triflimidates

Sulfur(vi) Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx) chemistry has emerged as a next-generation click reaction, designed to assemble functional molecules quickly and modularly. Here, we report the ex situ generation of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride (CF₃SO₂F) gas in a two chamber system, and its use as a new SuFEx handle to efficiently synthesize triflates and triflamides. This broadly tolerated protocol lends itself to peptide modification or to telescoping into coupling reactions. Moreover, redesigning the S^VI–F connector with a S O → S NR replacement furnished the analogous triflimidoyl fluorides as SuFEx electrophiles, which were engaged in the synthesis of rarely reported triflimidate esters. Notably, experiments showed H₂O to be the key towards achieving chemoselective trifluoromethanesulfonation of phenols vs. amine groups, a phenomenon best explained—using ab initio metadynamics simulations—by a hydrogen bonded termolecular transition state for the CF₃SO₂F triflylation of amines.

Triflyl fluoride gas (CF₃SO₂F) and its aza analogues are reported as new SuFEx activators. These S^VI–F reagents react efficiently with a variety of nucleophiles, yet the presence of water grants complete chemoselectivity to phenols.     

Untersuchungen zur Lewis-Acidität fluorierter Sulfonium-Ionen

On the Lewis Acidity of Fluorinated Sulfonium Ions NMR investigations show, that sulfonium salts [(CF₃)_nSF_3?n]⁺ AsF₆^? ( 1–3 , n = 0–2) add CH₃CN under formation of ψ-pentacoordinated sulfuranonium ions [(CF₃)_nSF_3?n · NCCH₃]⁺ ( 1a – 3a ,) with the donor in an axial position. In solution NSF₃ ( 4 ,) forms similar salts [(CF₃)_nSF_3?n · NSF₃]⁺ AsF₆^? ( 1b-3b ,) with weaker donor-acceptor interactions. With NSF₂NMe₂ ( 5 ,) the step of the primary addition products is passed very quickly, by fluoride-migration from 1 , and 2 , persulfuranonium ions [(CH₃)₂NSF₃NSF₂]⁺ ( 6 ,) and [(CH₃)₂NSF₃NSFCF₃]⁺ ( 7 ,), respectively, are formed, while from 3 , only decomposition products (Me₂NSF₂⁺, CF₃SSCF₃, CF₄) were obtained.     

N-Heteroaromatic Fluoroalkylation through Ligand Coupling Reaction of Sulfones

Ligand coupling on hypervalent main group elements has emerged as a pivotal methodology for the synthesis of functionalized N-heteroaromatic compounds in recent years due to the avoidance of transition metals and the mildness of the reaction conditions. In this direction, the reaction of N-heteroaryl sulfur(IV) and N-heteroaryl phosphorus(V) compounds has been well studied. However, the ligand coupling of sulfur(VI) is still underdeveloped and the reaction of alkyl N-heteroarylsulfones is still elusive, which does not match the high status of sulfones as the chemical chameleons in organic synthesis. Here we present a ligand coupling-enabled formal SO₂ extrusion of fluoroalkyl 2-azaheteroarylsulfones under the promotion of Grignard reagents, which not only enriches the chemistry of sulfones, but also provides a novel and practical synthetic tool towards N-heteroaromatic fluoroalkylation.     

Preparation of α,ω-heterobifunctionalized poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) via a bis-clickable RAFT reagent

A novel trithiocarbonate reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) reagent, 3-azidopropyl (4-[fluorosulfonyl]benzyl)trithiocarbonate (Az-FSBCT), which has both clickable azidopropyl and sulfonyl fluoride moieties, was designed and synthesized. Using the RAFT agent Az-FSBCT and triethylboron as an initiator, well-defined poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), in which the azide and sulfonyl fluoride groups are at the α and ω positions of the polymer chains, were prepared without prior deoxygenation at room temperature. Moreover, the possibilities for the construction of new functionalized polymers were also demonstrated by a “click” copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) and sulfur(VI)-fluoride exchange (SuFEx) postreaction using these terminal functional PVPs.     

Electrophilic S‐Trifluoromethylation of Cysteine Side Chains in α‐ and β‐Peptides: Isolation of Trifluoro‐methylated Sandostatin® (Octreotide) Derivatives

The new electrophilic trifluoromethylating 1‐(trifluoromethyl)‐benziodoxole reagents A and B (Scheme 1) have been used to selectively attach CF₃ groups to the S‐atom of cysteine side chains of α‐ and β‐peptides (up to 13‐residues‐long; products 7 – 14 ). Other functional groups in the substrates (amino, amido, carbamate, carboxylate, hydroxy, phenyl) are not attacked by these soft reagents. Depending on the conditions, the indole ring of a Trp residue may also be trifluoromethylated (in the 2‐position). The products are purified by chromatography, and identified by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy, by CD spectroscopy, and by high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The CF₃ groups, thus introduced, may be replaced by H (Na/NH₃), an overall Cys/Ala conversion. The importance of trifluoromethylations in medicinal chemistry and possible applications of the method (spin‐labelling, imaging, PET) are discussed.     

A Unified Strategy for Arylsulfur(VI) Fluorides from Aryl Halides: Access to Ar-SOF3 Compounds

A convenient protocol to selectively access various arylsulfur(VI) fluorides from commercially available aryl halides in a divergent fashion is presented. Firstly, a novel sulfenylation reaction with the electrophilic N-(chlorothio)phthalimide (Cl-S-Phth) and arylzinc reagents afforded the corresponding Ar-S-Phth compounds. Subsequently, the S(II) atom was selectively oxidized to distinct fluorinated sulfur(VI) compounds under mild conditions. Slight modifications on the oxidation protocol permit the chemoselective installation of 1, 3, or 4 fluorine atoms at the S(VI) center, affording the corresponding Ar-SO₂F, Ar-SOF₃, and Ar-SF₄Cl. Of notice, this strategy enables the effective introduction of the rare and underexplored -SOF₃ moiety into various (hetero)aryl groups. Reactivity studies demonstrate that such elusive Ar-SOF₃ can be utilized as a linchpin for the synthesis of highly coveted aryl sulfonimidoyl fluorides (Ar-SO(NR)F).     

A non‐oxo methanolate‐bridged divanadium(IV) complex with tris(2‐sulfanidylphenyl)phosphane ligands: synthesis,structural characterization and magnetic investigation

Vanadium chemistry is of interest due its biological relevance and medical applications. In particular, the interactions of high‐valent vanadium ions with sulfur‐containing biologically important molecules, such as cysteine and glutathione, might be related to the redox conversion of vanadium in ascidians, the function of amavadin (a vanadium‐containing anion) and the antidiabetic behaviour of vanadium compounds. A mechanistic understanding of these aspects is important. In an effort to investigate high‐valent vanadium–sulfur chemistry, we have synthesized and characterized the non‐oxo divanadium(IV) complex salt tetraphenylphosphonium tri‐μ‐<!?tlsb=‐0.11pt>methanolato‐κ⁶O:O‐bis({tris[2‐sulfanidyl‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]phosphane‐κ⁴P,S,S′,S′′}vanadium(IV)) methanol disolvate, (C₂₄H₂₀P)[V^IV₂(μ‐OCH₃)₃(C₂₇H₃₆PS₃)₂]·2CH₃OH. Two V^IV metal centres are bridged by three methanolate ligands, giving a C2‐symmetric V₂(μ‐OMe)₃ core structure. Each V^IV centre adopts a monocapped trigonal antiprismatic geometry, with the P atom situated in the capping position and the three S atoms and three O atoms forming two triangular faces of the trigonal antiprism. The magnetic data indicate a paramagnetic nature of the salt, with an S = 1 spin state.     

Recent progress in the synthesis of sulfonyl fluorides for SuFEx click chemistry

Since the sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange reaction (SuFEx) was introduced by Sharpless and co-workers in 2014, this new-generation click chemistry has emerged as an efficient and reliable tool for creating modular intermolecular connections. Sulfonyl fluorides, one of the most important sulfur(VI) fluoride species, have attracted enormous attention in diverse fields, ranging from organic synthesis and material science, to chemical biology and drug discovery. This review aims to introduce seminal and recent progresses on the synthetic methods of sulfonyl fluorides, which include aromatic, aliphatic, alkenyl, and alkynyl sulfonyl fluorides. While not meant to be exhaustive, the purpose is to give a timely overview and insight in this field, and stimulate the development of more efficient synthetic methods of sulfonyl fluorides.