Fluorine Compounds, Inorganic, Sulfur

Abstract

The two most commercially important sulfur‐containing inorganic fluorine compounds are fluorosulfuric acid and sulfur hexafluoride. Fluorosulfuric acid is used as a fluorinating reagent in the preparation of such compounds as boron trifluoride and silicon tetrafluoride, and as a catalyst in organic reactions for alkylation, acylation, polymerization, sulfonation, and isomerization. Fluorosulfuric acid is itself a strong acid. When combined with certain inorganic fluorides, the system exhibits superacid properties. Properties, manufacture, and uses are discussed. Of the known sulfur fluorides, sulfur hexafluoride and sulfur tetrafluoride are available commercially. Sulfur hexafluoride, nonflammable and of high chemical stability, has a high dielectric, and is used widely in electrical and electronic equipment such as circuit breakers, capacitors, microwave components, etc. Sulfur tetrafluoride is used as a fluorinating reagent. Properties, manufacture, and uses are described. Other sulfur fluorides are discussed.