Thionyl fluoride is the

inorganic compound An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds⁠that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as ''inorganic chemistry''. Inorgan ...

with the

formula In science, a formula is a concise way of expressing information symbolically, as in a mathematical formula or a ''chemical formula''. The informal use of the term ''formula'' in science refers to the general construct of a relationship betwe ...

. This colourless gas is mainly of theoretical interest, but it is a product of the degradation of

sulfur hexafluoride Sulfur hexafluoride or sulphur hexafluoride ( British spelling) is an inorganic compound with the formula SF6. It is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable, and non-toxic gas. has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attache ...

, an insulator in electrical equipment. The molecule adopts a distorted pyramidal structure, with C_s

symmetry Symmetry () in everyday life refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. In mathematics, the term has a more precise definition and is usually used to refer to an object that is Invariant (mathematics), invariant und ...

. The S-O and S-F distances are 1.42 and 1.58 Å, respectively. The O-S-F and F-S-F angles are 106.2 and 92.2°, respectively.

Synthesis and reactions

Thionyl fluoride can be produced by the reaction of

thionyl chloride Thionyl chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a moderately Volatility (chemistry), volatile, colourless liquid with an unpleasant acrid odour. Thionyl chloride is primarily used as a Halogenation, chlorinating reagen ...

with fluoride sources such as

antimony trifluoride Antimony trifluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula SbF3. Sometimes called Swarts' reagent, it is one of two principal fluorides of antimony, the other being SbF5. It appears as a white solid. As well as some industrial applications, ...

. : Alternatively, it arises via the fluorination of

sulfur dioxide Sulfur dioxide (IUPAC-recommended spelling) or sulphur dioxide (traditional Commonwealth English) is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless gas with a pungent smell that is responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is r ...

: : Thionyl fluoride arises as a fleeting intermediate from the decomposition of sulfur hexafluoride as the result of electrical discharges which generate

sulfur tetrafluoride Sulfur tetrafluoride is a chemical compound with the formula S F4. It is a colorless corrosive gas that releases dangerous hydrogen fluoride gas upon exposure to water or moisture. Sulfur tetrafluoride is a useful reagent for the preparation o ...

. SF₄ hydrolyzes to give thionyl fluoride, which in turn hydrolyzes further as described below. As expected from the behavior of the other thionyl halides, this compound hydrolyzes readily, giving

hydrogen fluoride Hydrogen fluoride (fluorane) is an Inorganic chemistry, inorganic compound with chemical formula . It is a very poisonous, colorless gas or liquid that dissolves in water to yield hydrofluoric acid. It is the principal industrial source of fluori ...

and

: : In contrast to thionyl chloride and bromide, thionyl fluoride is not useful for

halogenation In chemistry, halogenation is a chemical reaction which introduces one or more halogens into a chemical compound. Halide-containing compounds are pervasive, making this type of transformation important, e.g. in the production of polymers, drug ...

. The related derivative,

is however useful for that purpose.

References

External links

{{fluorine compounds Thionyl compounds Oxyfluorides Sulfur(IV) compounds Sulfur oxohalides