Sulfonium
A sulfonium ion, also known as sulphonium ion or sulfanium ion, is a positively charged ion (a "cation") featuring three organic substituents attached to sulfur. They have the formula [SR3]+. Together with their negatively charged counterpart, the anion, the compounds are called sulfonium salts.
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Synthesis [edit]
Sulfonium compounds are usually be synthesized from the reaction of thioethers with alkyl halides. For example, the reaction of dimethyl sulfide with iodomethane yields trimethylsulfonium iodide:
- CH3–S–CH3 + CH3–I → (CH3)3S+ + I−
Before the above reaction, the sulfur atom has two lone electron pairs. One of these lone pairs links to the methyl group. At the same time, as part of a concerted nucleophilic substitution mechanism (SN2), the iodide leaving group departs. this leaves a positively charged trimethylsulfonium ion, whose charge is balanced by the iodide. The rate of reaction is even faster with stronger methylating agents, such as methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.
Structure [edit]
The compounds are pyramidal at sulfur. Thus Me3S+ is structurally similar to the isoelectronic compound trimethylphosphine. Sulfonium compounds wherein the three substituents differ are chiral and optically stable.[1]
Applications and occurrence [edit]
Biochemistry [edit]
The sulfonium (more specifically methioninium) species S-adenosylmethionine occurs widely in nature, where it is used as a source of the adenosoyl radical. This radical participates in the biosynthesis of various compounds.[2]
Another, sulfonium (methioninium) species found in nature is S-methylmethionine.
Organic synthesis [edit]
Sulfonium centers stabilize the formation of ylides, which are useful in C-C forming reactions.[3]
Industry [edit]
Some azo dyes are modified with sulfonium groups to give them a positive charge. The compound triphenylsulfonium triflate is a photoacid, a compound that under light converts to an acid.
References [edit]
- ^ March, J. “Advanced Organic Chemistry” 5th Ed. J. Wiley and Sons, 1992: New York. ISBN 0-471-60180-2.
- ^ Layer, G.; Heinz, D. W.; Jahn, D.; Schubert, W.-D. "Structure and function of radical SAM enzymes" Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2004, volume 8, 468-476. doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2004.08.001
- ^ Mitchell J. Bogdanowicz, Barry M. Trost (1988), "Cyclopropylphenylsulfonium Tetrafluoroborate", Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol. 6: 364
See also [edit]
- Sulfide R-S-R
- Sulfate R-SO4-R
- Sulfite R-SO3-R
- Sulfonate R-SO3−
- Onium compounds
External links [edit]
- IUPAC definition (short pdf)
