Exploratory study of the reaction of bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride (Deoxofluor™ reagent) with diaryl sulfoxides: novel routes to Ar2SF2 and Ar2SF(OTf) via sulfoxide activation

Neither bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride (Deoxofluor™ reagent) nor HF/pyridine alone can fluorinate diaryl sulfoxides. S-fluorination can be effected by activating the sulfoxide via protonation with HF/pyridine (70:30) to form sulfoxonium ions in equilibrium which are then S-fluorinated in situ with Deoxofluor™ to give Ar₂SF₂ compounds. Conversions depend strongly on steric factors and the reactions require the use of excess Deoxofluor™ and HF/pyridine. NMR data for the resulting diarylsulfur difluorides are gathered and discussed. Sulfoxide activation via diaryl (trifloxy) sulfonium triflate generated in situ from Ar₂SO with triflic anhydride at low temperature represents another strategy for S-fluorination with Deoxofluor™ to generate Ar₂S(OTf)F.