Visible-Light-Driven Photoreductive Complete Degradation of Sulfur Hexafluoride under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Visible-light irradiation with potassium tert-butoxide in dimethylformamide enables complete defluorination of sulfur hexafluoride under ambient conditions. Electron injection weakens the S–F bonds, producing intermediates that undergo stepwise cleavage. The process ultimately mineralizes SF6 to sulfite and fluoride salts, demonstrating a low-energy strategy for activating extremely inert fluorinated molecules.