Control of hydroxyl group conformation by the pentafluorosulfanyl group

The unique properties of the pentafluorosulfanyl group lead to previously unrecognized interactions with neighboring hydroxyl groups that differ substantially from those of alkyl or fluoroalkyl chains. Computational methods (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) were utilized to assess the geometries and barriers to rotation. Conformational control was derived primarily from restricted rotation about the SF5CCOH bond.