A team of researchers has come up with a safe, economical, and eco-friendly way to produce sulfonyl fluorides. By mixing thiols and disulfides with SHC5 and potassium fluoride, they have created a green synthesis method that generates non-toxic by-products. This innovative approach streamlines the manufacturing of sulfonyl fluorides, making it ideal for both chemical and industrial uses, in line with Sustainable Development Goals.
For the first time globally, thiols and disulfides have been transformed into sulfonyl fluorides using SHC5® and potassium fluoride (KF), enhancing the efficiency of “click chemistry” while minimizing its environmental footprint. This sustainable process produces only harmless by-products, sodium chloride and potassium chloride, positioning it to be the favored technique in the synthesis arena for chemical and industrial applications.
“Click chemistry” is celebrated for its exceptional selectivity, high yields, and rapid molecular connections. Since its introduction, it has proven its versatility across multiple disciplines, including synthetic chemistry, materials science, chemical biology, and drug development, thus gaining widespread acclaim.
Yet, sulfonyl fluoride plays a crucial role in the sulfur-fluorine exchange (SuFEx) click reaction, which is essential for linking molecules. Historically, synthesizing sulfonyl fluoride required hazardous substances like SO2F2 gas or KHF2, both of which are highly toxic and challenging to manage. To ensure a safe and eco-friendly method of producing sulfonyl fluoride, chemists have investigated various synthetic pathways.
This research has pioneered a method of effectively synthesizing sulfonyl fluoride through the reaction of SHC5® and KF with the more manageable thiols and disulfides. The green synthesis yields only non-harmful sodium and potassium salts as by-products, resulting in a very low environmental impact.
This chemical reaction allows for the environmentally sustainable and customizable production of a wide range of sulfonyl fluorides, including those with aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic structures.
The synthesis procedure is straightforward, promoting the economical, scalable, and safe generation of sulfonyl fluorides. This new technique is anticipated to become the primary method for synthesizing sulfonyl fluorides in the chemical and industrial sectors.
According to the study’s lead authors—Masayuki Kirihara, Shinobu Takizawa, and Mohamed S. H. Salem—“Creating new organic synthesis methods to generate valuable compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, is a vital area of research, especially regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, developing reaction methods that take potential environmental impacts into account is becoming increasingly critical. We will continue to share research from Japan that emphasizes the green synthesis of useful compounds, fostering positive effects across various sectors.”