Sulfur tetrafluoride gas, with the chemical formula SF4, is an inorganic compound. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure, with a strong pungent odor, toxic, corrosive, and can corrode glass. Sulfur tetrafluoride does not burn in the air, remains stable at 600°C, is easily soluble in benzene, can be completely absorbed by strong alkaline solutions, can be decomposed in concentrated sulfuric acid, and reacts violently in water. If partially hydrolyzed, it can produce thionyl chloride, and if completely hydrolyzed, it can decompose into sulfur dioxide and hydrofluoric acid. Sulfur tetrafluoride is a new type of fluorine-containing material.
Sulfur tetrafluoride gas is a selective fluorinating agent with good effects and wide applications. It can selectively fluorinate carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Sulfur tetrafluoride can be widely used in fine chemicals, electronics, liquid crystal displays, medicine, pesticides and other fields. In the field of fine chemicals, sulfur tetrafluoride can be used to prepare trichlorofluoromethane, polyfluoroethers, surface treatment agents, fiber treatment agents and other products; in the pharmaceutical field, sulfur tetrafluoride can be used to prepare anticancer drugs, biopharmaceuticals, anesthetics, etc.; in the electronics industry, high-purity sulfur tetrafluoride is an electronic specialty gas that can be used in plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition and other aspects.