Methyl fluorosulfonate

Last updated
Methyl fluorosulfonate
Methyl fluorosulfonate.png
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Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methyl sulfurofluoridate
Other names
  • Methyl fluorosulphonate
  • Fluorosulfonic acid, methyl ester
  • Methyl fluorosulphate
  • Magic methyl
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.006.369 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
PubChem CID
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CH3FO3S/c1-5-6(2,3)4/h1H3 Yes check.svgY
    Key: MBXNQZHITVCSLJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • InChI=1/CH3FO3S/c1-5-6(2,3)4/h1H3
    Key: MBXNQZHITVCSLJ-UHFFFAOYAW
  • FS(=O)(=O)OC
Properties
CH3FO3S
Molar mass 114.09 g·mol−1
Density 1.45 g/mL
Boiling point 93 °C (199 °F; 366 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Methyl fluorosulfonate, also known as magic methyl, is the organic compound with the formula FSO2OCH3. It is a colorless liquid that is used as a strong methylating agent in organic synthesis. Because of several fatal industrial accidents involving this compound, it has largely been replaced by the related reagent methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

Contents

Synthesis and reactions

It is prepared by distillation of an equimolar mixture of fluorosulfonic acid and dimethyl sulfate. It was originally produced by the reaction of methanol with fluorosulfonic acid. [1]

Methyl fluorosulfonate is a highly electrophilic reagent for methylation. It is ranked as less powerful than methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. [2]

Toxicity

Toxicity of this reagent is equivalent to that of phosgene with an inhaled LC50 (rat, 1 hour) of about 5 ppm. Several cases of poisoning resulting in death from pulmonary edema have been reported. [3]

References

  1. Meyer, Julius; Schramm, Georg (1932). "Ester der Fluorsulfonsäure (Esters of fluorosulfonic acid)". Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie. 206: 24–30. doi:10.1002/zaac.19322060103.
  2. Stang, Peter J.; Hanack, Michael; Subramanian, L. R. (1982). "Perfluoroalkanesulfonic Esters: Methods of Preparation and Applications in Organic Chemistry". Synthesis. 1982 (2): 85–126. doi:10.1055/s-1982-29711. ISSN   0039-7881.
  3. Hite, M.; Rinehart, W.; Braun, W.; Peck, H. (1979). "Acute toxicity of methyl fluorosulfonate (Magic Methyl)". AIHA Journal. 40 (7): 600–603. doi:10.1080/00028897708984416. PMID   484483.