Organothallium compounds X the formation of polyfluorophenylthallium compounds by desulphination reactions

The acetatobis(polyfluorophenyl)thallium(III) compounds R₂TlO₂CCH₃ (R = C₆F₅, $\text{p}$-HC₆F₄, or $\text{m}$-HC₆F₄) have been prepared by sulphur dioxide elimination reactions from the appropriate lithium polyfluorobenzenesulphinates and thallic trifluoroacetate or acetate under mild conditions. Owing to reduction of the thallic salt by liberated sulphur dioxide, good yields required the stoichiometry 2LiO₂SR: 3TlX₃ (X = O₂CCF₃ or O₂CCH₃). The reactions are considered to proceed via thallium(III) $\text{S}$-sulphinate complexes and a possible mechanism is discussed.