Trifluoromethyl thionitrite

Abstract

Trifluoromethyl thionitrite, CF₃SNO, a red gas, has been made by the action of NOCl on Hg(SCF₃)₂, and also from CF₃SH with an alkyl nitrite or NOCl, all at low temperatures. It decomposes quickly at room temperature, but very slowly at –78°, to give the disulphide CF₃S·SCF₃ and NO.

The i.r. spectrum (4000–400 cm.^–1) of the solid at –196°, and the gas at low pressure at room temperature, allows the assignment of 10 of the 15 fundamental vibrations. The u.v. and visible spectrum of the gas (at –116° to –20°) resembles that of NOCl.