[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [![MilliporeSigma](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/static/logos/purple/millipore_sigma.svg)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en) Products Cart0 USEN Products ProductsApplicationsServicesResourcesSupport [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en)[C–H Functionalization](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/applications/chemistry-and-synthesis/synthetic-methods/ch-functionalization)SuFEx: Sulfonyl Fluorides that Participate in the Next Click Reaction # SuFEx: Sulfonyl Fluorides that Participate in the Next Click Reaction ## Featuring ESF Reagent for the Easy Installation of SO2F __Read more about__ - [Introduction](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#introduction) - [Advantages](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#advantages) - [Featured SuFEx Reagent: Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride (ESF)](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#esf) - [Representative Applications](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#representative-applications) - [References](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#references) [Related Products](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#related-products) ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Introduction Sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) has been identified as the next click chemistry reaction owing to the balanced properties of fluoride bonding to hydrogen and sulfur (VI). In collaboration with [K. Barry Sharpless](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/professor-product-portal/sharpless), we now offer a variety of sulfonyl fluoride reagents that undergo a newly defined click chemistry reaction.1 SuFEx building blocks provide “connective” chemistry that will find wide utility in applications such as chemical synthesis, materials science, chemical biology, and drug development.1-4 ![fig1 mechanism](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig1-mechanism.jpg "fig1 mechanism") ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Advantages In line with traditional click chemistry, SuFEx is a simple, water- and oxygen-friendly reaction that allows for high yields with little purification. In addition, sulfonyl fluorides have a distinctive relationship between stability and reactivity due to some of the following features.1 ![Resistance to reduction: In contrast to other halides, sulfonyl fluoride cleavage is heterolytic and thus resistant to reduction.1](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig2-no-reduction.jpg "Resistance to reduction: In contrast to other halides, sulfonyl fluoride cleavage is heterolytic and thus resistant to reduction.1") __1. Resistance to reduction:__In contrast to other halides, sulfonyl fluoride cleavage is heterolytic and thus resistant to reduction.1 ![Thermodynamic stability: Sulfonyl fluorides are stable to thermolysis as well as nucleophilic substitution1 and have notably exhibited inert reactivity in refluxing aniline.2](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig3-thermo-stab.jpg "Thermodynamic stability: Sulfonyl fluorides are stable to thermolysis as well as nucleophilic substitution1 and have notably exhibited inert reactivity in refluxing aniline.2") __2. Thermodynamic stability:__Sulfonyl fluorides are stable to thermolysis as well as nucleophilic substitution1 and have notably exhibited inert reactivity in refluxing aniline.2 ![Exclusive reaction at sulfur: Sulfonyl fluorides react fast and, compared to sulfonyl chlorides, chemoselectively produce only sulfonylation products.1](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig4-exclusive.jpg "Exclusive reaction at sulfur: Sulfonyl fluorides react fast and, compared to sulfonyl chlorides, chemoselectively produce only sulfonylation products.1") __3. Exclusive reaction at sulfur:__Sulfonyl fluorides react fast and, compared to sulfonyl chlorides, chemoselectively produce only sulfonylation products.1 ![Special nature of the fluoride-proton interaction: Stabilization of the fluoride ion in water affords chemistry in aqueous environments.1](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig5-proton-interact.jpg "Special nature of the fluoride-proton interaction: Stabilization of the fluoride ion in water affords chemistry in aqueous environments.1") __4. Special nature of the fluoride-proton interaction:__Stabilization of the fluoride ion in water affords chemistry in aqueous environments.1 ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Featured SuFEx Reagent: Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride (ESF) ![Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride scheme](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/ethenesulfonyl-fluoride-scheme.jpg "Ethenesulfonyl fluoride") Among our available sulfonyl fluoride building blocks, we offer ethenesulfonyl fluoride (Product No. [746959](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/aldrich/746959)), ESF, a Michael acceptor for  N, O, S, and C nucleophiles. Therefore, the SO2F functional group can be readily incorporated into molecules for drug discovery and chemical biology applications. The generated sulfonyl fluoride is extremely stable but readily reacts with nucleophiles under the appropriate conditions for further functionalization or biochemical use.1-2 ## [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com)Representative Applications #### Synthetic Installation of SO2F Facile incorporation of the sulfonyl fluoride onto nucleophiles can be carried out with ESF for high yields.1-2 ![ESF rxns](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig7-esf-rxns.jpg "ESF rxns") Other SuFEx building blocks have been used to introduce SO2F handles for applications in chemical biology, such as on the probe used by Jones and co-workers (SF-p1)5 and in the library generated by Kelly and his colleagues (1,3,4-oxadiazoles).6 ![other bbs rxn](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig8-other-bbs-rxn.jpg "other bbs rxn") #### Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery When integrated on known bioactive molecules, the biocompatibility and reactivity of sulfonyl fluorides provide powerful tools for chemical biologists and drug developers.4 The SO2F group covalently modifies many protein residues but in a context-specific manner: serine, threonine, tyrosine, lysine, cysteine, and histidine.4 As such, sulfonyl fluorides can be uniquely enlisted in chemical probes, covalent inhibitors, or various stages of your translational workflow, including target validation and lead optimization/late-stage functionalization ![sf scheme](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/sf-scheme.jpg "SF Function") Some recent examples of the functionalization of previous inhibitors and enzyme stabilizers with SO2F resulted in the chemoselective modification of proteins of interest: DcpS on Tyr,5 transthyretin on Lys,6 and polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase on Ser.7 Other well-known sulfonyl fluoride inhibitors include PMSF ([P7626](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sigma/p7626), [78830](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sigma/78830), [93482](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sigma/93482)), AEMSF ([76307](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/76307), [15633](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/15633), [A8456](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sial/A8456)) and FSBA ([F9128](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/product/sigma/F9128)). ![chem bio molecules](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/cms-commons/sigmaaldrich/marketing/global/images/technical-documents/articles/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/fig10-chem-bio-molecules.jpg "chem bio molecules") * * * To learn more about the biological applications of SuFEx, check out our webinar with Lyn Jones of Pfizer! "[Sulfonyl Fluorides in Chemical Biology and Drug Development](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/webinars/sulfonyl-fluorides)" Explore other products in our catalog that have been established in collaboration with Professor Sharpless at his [Professor Product Portal](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/professor-product-portal/sharpless). ## Related Products Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 * * * ### References 1\. Dong J, Krasnova L, Finn MG, Sharpless KB. 2014. Sulfur(VI) Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx): Another Good Reaction for Click Chemistry. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.. 53(36):9430-9448. [https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201309399](https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201309399) 2\. Krutak JJ, Burpitt RD, Moore WH, Hyatt JA. 1979. Chemistry of ethenesulfonyl fluoride. Fluorosulfonylethylation of organic compounds. J. Org. Chem.. 44(22):3847-3858. [https://doi.org/10.1021/jo01336a022](https://doi.org/10.1021/jo01336a022) 3\. Dong J, Sharpless KB, Kwisnek L, Oakdale JS, Fokin VV. 2014. SuFEx-Based Synthesis of Polysulfates. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.. 53(36):9466-9470. [https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201403758](https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201403758) 4\. Narayanan A, Jones LH. Sulfonyl fluorides as privileged warheads in chemical biology. Chem. Sci.. 6(5):2650-2659. [https://doi.org/10.1039/c5sc00408j](https://doi.org/10.1039/c5sc00408j) 5\. Hett EC, Xu H, Geoghegan KF, Gopalsamy A, Kyne RE, Menard CA, Narayanan A, Parikh MD, Liu S, Roberts L, et al. 2015. Rational Targeting of Active-Site Tyrosine Residues Using Sulfonyl Fluoride Probes. ACS Chem. Biol.. 10(4):1094-1098. [https://doi.org/10.1021/cb5009475](https://doi.org/10.1021/cb5009475) 6\. Grimster NP, Connelly S, Baranczak A, Dong J, Krasnova LB, Sharpless KB, Powers ET, Wilson IA, Kelly JW. 2013. Aromatic Sulfonyl Fluorides Covalently Kinetically Stabilize Transthyretin to Prevent Amyloidogenesis while Affording a Fluorescent Conjugate. J. Am. Chem. Soc.. 135(15):5656-5668. [https://doi.org/10.1021/ja311729d](https://doi.org/10.1021/ja311729d) 7\. Aguilar B, Amissah F, Duverna R, S. Lamango N. 2011. Polyisoprenylation Potentiates the Inhibition of Polyisoprenylated Methylated Protein Methyl Esterase and the Cell Degenerative Effects of Sulfonyl Fluorides. CCDT. 11(6):752-762. [https://doi.org/10.2174/156800911796191015](https://doi.org/10.2174/156800911796191015) __Related Articles__ - [Baran Diversinates™](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/baran-diversinates) - [C–H Amination](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/c-h-amination) - [Jørgensen’s Organocatalysts](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/jorgensen-organocatalysts) - [MCAT- 53™ Catalyst for Ruthenium Formation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/mcat-53-green-ruthenium-catalyst) - [Palau’Chlor®: Easily and Selectively Functionalize Lead Compounds](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/palauchlor) - [Role of High Purity Metal Salts in Chemical Synthesis](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/role-of-high-purity-metal-salts-in-chemical-synthesis) - [Ellman's Sulfinamides](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/sulfinamids) - [Electrochemical Allylic C–H Oxidation](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/technical-documents/technical-article/chemistry-and-synthesis/ch-functionalization/synthetic-reagents-electrochemical-allylic-oxidation-tcnhpi) - [View More](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) __Related Product Categories__ - [Organic Building Blocks](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/products/chemistry-and-biochemicals/building-blocks/organic-building-blocks) Top __Sign In To Continue__ To continue reading please sign in or create an account. Sign In__Don't Have An Account?__Register An unknown error has occured.