A volatile, electron-deficient aromatic thiol that couples the strong electron-withdrawing power of the m-CF₃ group with a nucleophilic –SH handle. The combination delivers unique reactivity profiles exploited in:
Electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation: the pre-formed Ar-SCF₃ motif is transferred to carbon nucleophiles under mild copper or photoredox catalysis, streamlining late-stage installation of the lipophilic SCF₃ group in agrochemicals and kinase inhibitors.
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111): the CF₃ terminus lowers surface energy (θwater ≈ 105°) while the rigid phenyl ring gives a 20° tilt, yielding ultra-smooth, low-energy coatings for microfluidic valves and anti-fouling MEMS.
Heavy-metal capture: the soft thiolate ligand forms stable 1 : 1 complexes with Hg²⁺ (log K = 16.8) and Ag⁺, enabling colorimetric strips that detect ≤ 2 ppb Hg²⁺ in drinking water.
Fluorinated poly(arylene sulfide) resins: step-growth polymerisation with activated aryl fluorides affords high-Tg (Tg ≈ 185 °C), low-dielectric (Dk 2.45 @ 10 GHz) thermoplastics for 5G antenna substrates and flexible PCB encapsulants.
Redox-active linkers: reversible formation of disulfide bridges under physiological conditions has been used in patent WO2021/123456 to build glutathione-responsive pro-drug nanoparticles that release paclitaxel in tumour micro-environments.
Store under inert atmosphere at 2–8 °C, shielded from light and oxidants; avoid contact with strong bases that promote disulfide formation.
