Methyl fluorosulfonate

Methyl fluorosulfonate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methyl sulfurofluoridate
Other names
  • Methyl fluorosulphonate
  • Fluorosulfonic acid, methyl ester
  • Methyl fluorosulphate
  • Magic methyl
Identifiers
CAS Number
  • 421-20-5 checkY
3D model (JSmol)
  • Interactive image
ChemSpider
  • 9486 checkY
ECHA InfoCard 100.006.369 Edit this at Wikidata
PubChem CID
  • 9870
UNII
  • N015VFJ94Z checkY
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
  • DTXSID8073180 Edit this at Wikidata
InChI
  • InChI=1S/CH3FO3S/c1-5-6(2,3)4/h1H3 checkY
    Key: MBXNQZHITVCSLJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/CH3FO3S/c1-5-6(2,3)4/h1H3
    Key: MBXNQZHITVCSLJ-UHFFFAOYAW
  • FS(=O)(=O)OC
Properties
Chemical formula
 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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Infobox references
Chemical compound

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 Because of its extreme toxicity, it has largely been replaced by the related reagent methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

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

Similar to phosgene, it is acutely toxic[1] by inhalation, with an LC50 (rat, 1 hour) of about 5 ppm. Several cases of poisoning resulting in death from pulmonary edema have been reported.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b 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.