Reactions of tetrasulphur tetranitride with halides. Part V. The preparation of cyclopentathiazenium (S5N5+) salts and some observations on the structure of the cyclopentathiazenium cation

Abstract

The cyclopentathiazenium salts, S₅N₅⁺A^–(A^–= AlCl₄^–, FeCl₄^–, SbCl₆^–), are readily prepared in high yield from tetrasulphur tetranitride, trichlorocyclotrithiazene (NSCl)₃, and the metal chloride: AlCl₃, FeCl₃, or SbCl₅. Other salts can be prepared by metathesis in anhydrous formic acid. The nature of the bonding in the cation is discussed with respect to its unusual stability.