G3 and density functional theory investigations of the structures and energies of SFnCl (n=0–5) and their anions

Reactivity of Binary and Ternary Sulfur Halides towards Transition-Metal Compounds

Binary sulfur fluorides exhibit an interesting reactivity towards transition metal complexes. They open up routes for the generation of sulfur‐containing building blocks. Often ligands with particular properties can be constructed. This includes their ability to transfer sulfur atoms or polysulfide units as well as fluorination reactions. This Minireview provides an insight into the reactivity of the binary and ternary sulfur halides S₂Cl₂, SCl₂, SF₄, SF₆ and SF₅Cl towards transition‐metal compounds.

State-Specific Reactions of Cu(+)((1)S,(3)D) with SF6 and SF5Cl

State-specific reactions of Cu(+)((1)S,(3)D) were carried out in a selected ion drift cell apparatus with SF6 and SF5Cl. Copper ions were prepared in a glow discharge utilizing Ne as the working gas. Analysis of Cu(+) states using ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMS) indicated the presence of both Cu(+)(3d(10)) and Cu(+)(3d(9)4s(1)) configurations attributable to the (1)S ground and (3)D first excited states of this metal ion, respectively. State-specific product formation in reactions of these ions with the two neutral substrates of interest here was determined using IMS along with both known and calculated energetic requirements for product formation. These experiments indicate that Cu(+)((1)S) associates with both SF6 and SF5Cl; however, the process is approximately four times as efficient with the latter neutral under these conditions. Association is also observed as a minor product between Cu(+)((3)D) and both neutral reactants. Inefficient formation of SF3(+) occurs as the sole bimolecular product from SF6 via Cu(+)((3)D). In contrast, Cu(+)((3)D) reacts with SF5Cl in rapid parallel bimolecular processes yielding SF3(+) and CuCl(+). These results also indicate that CuCl(+) initiates additional higher-order processes which result in SF5(+) and SF4Cl(+). The energetics associated with the formation of SF3(+) suggest that a copper halide neutral byproduct must also be formed, requiring a more complex mechanism than simple dissociative charge-transfer.

Bonding and isomerism in SF(n-1)Cl (n = 1-6): a quantum chemical study

Using high-level MRCI and CCSD(T) quantum chemical calculations, we report structures, energetics, and other properties of the sulfur fluoromonochloride family (SF(n-1)Cl, n = 1-6). Our group previously studied the sulfur fluoride family (SF(n), n = 1-6) and found that several of the excited states of SF and SF(2) as well as the ground states of SF(3)-SF(6) exhibited a new type of bonding, called recoupled pair bonding. Comparing the SF(n-1)Cl and SF(n) species allows us to study isomerism, apicophilicities, and substituent effects due to the Cl substitution. The primary findings of this work are twofold. First, replacing F with Cl weakens the adjacent S-F bonds by destabilizing the molecule with respect to the pure SF(n) analog. Second, an isomer with a singly occupied S-Cl antibonding orbital is more stable than the analogous isomer with a singly occupied S-F antibonding orbital, thus explaining apicophilicities. This work has also allowed us to further refine and expand our understanding of the nature of the recoupled pair bond model. Finally, we discovered the presence of bond-stretch isomers in the first excited ((3)A'') state of SFCl.