Electrochemical studies of sulfonates in non-aqueous solvents: Part III. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a strong acid in dipolar aprotic solvents and acetic acid

Dissociation of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in non-aqueous solvents has been investigated mainly by conductometry and compared with that of p-toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, fluorosulfuric and perchloric acids. The solvents used are dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, n-butyronitrile, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile, nitromethane, methyl isobutyl ketone and acetic acid. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is completely dissociated in rather basic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylacetamide and dimethylformamide, while it is associated to some extent in the other solvents, especially in methyl isobutyl ketone and acetic acid. The strength of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is almost the same as that of perchloric acid in all the solvents. Dissociation constants of the other acids are also obtained.