A new synthesis of trifluoromethanethiolates—characterization and properties of tetramethylammonium, cesium and di(benzo-15-crown-5)cesium trifluoromethanethiolates

[NMe4]SCF3, CsSCF3 and [(B-15-C-5)2Cs]SCF3 (B-15-C-5: benzo-15-crown-5) are formed from reactions of the corresponding fluorides, trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane, Me3SiCF3, and elemental sulfur in glyme or THF. All compounds are colorless to pale ochre solids decomposing significantly above ambient temperature. Excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical vibrational frequencies, calculated at the B3PW91 level of theory, impressively confirms the salt-like nature of [NMe4]SCF3. operties of the title compounds as nucleophilic SCF3 transfer reagents were checked with a variety of organic, organometallic and inorganic compounds.