What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the catalytic C(sp2)–SuFEx reactions of sulfonyl fluorides using silylium ions.

May 18, 2026Organic Letters0 citations

Direct Catalytic C(sp 2 )–SuFEx Coupling of Sulfonyl Fluorides with Unactivated Arenes

WKWoo Hee KimSungkyunkwan University HCHoonhwi ChoSungkyunkwan University JHJin Seong HyeonSungkyunkwan University

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the catalytic C(sp2)–SuFEx reactions of sulfonyl fluorides using silylium ions.
Silylium Lewis-acid-catalyzed coupling of sulfonyl fluorides with unactivated arenes was performed.
Reactions were conducted under solvent-, transition-metal-, and additive-free conditions.
Mechanistic studies were employed to analyze S–F activation.
The method successfully couples sulfonyl fluorides with unactivated arenes.
Mechanistic studies indicate efficient S–F activation by silylium ion pairs.
Scalable synthesis is achieved without the need for solvents or additives.

Abstract

Sulfur–fluoride exchange (SuFEx) is a powerful platform for constructing diverse functional molecules, yet catalytic C(sp2)–SuFEx reactions of sulfonyl fluorides remain underexplored. Here, we report a silylium Lewis-acid-catalyzed coupling of sulfonyl fluorides with unactivated arenes. The method tolerates diverse substrates, uses simple arenes, and proceeds under solvent-, transition-metal-, and additive-free conditions with scalable synthesis. Mechanistic studies reveal efficient S–F activation by silylium ion pairs, enabling C–SuFEx sulfone formation.

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