Ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate is a cationic polymerization agent used to produce polyurethane, polyacrylate, and other synthetic resins. It is an effective drug for the treatment of HIV infection and chronic bronchitis. Ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate has been shown to inhibit the replication of HIV-1 virus at concentrations as low as 1 μM when tested in vitro. The mechanism of this drug's anti-HIV activity is unknown and may involve the inhibition of reverse transcriptase or proteases. Ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate can be detected in vivo up to 4 hours after administration. This drug is metabolized into trifluoroacetic acid by esterases, glycosidases, and/or oxidases.
Clear colorless to yellow liquid
Ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate is a powerful ethylating agent. due to the strong electron-absorbing ability of trifluoromethanesulfonyl, the reactivity is much higher than that of conventional alkylation reagents such as bichloride or alkyl sulfonate.
Triethyl orthoformate (4.44g,30mmol) was slowly added to trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (8.47g,30mmol) under ice bath, transferred to 25°C for reaction, monitored by NMR for 15 min, and the reaction was completed, distilled under reduced pressure to obtain 10.15g of ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate colorless liquid in 94% yield.
The ester reacts slowly with H2O and aqueous alkali. If its IR has no OH bands (~3000 cm-1) then purify it by redistillation. If OH bands are present, then dilute with dry Et2O and shake (carefully) with aqueous NaHCO3 until effervescence ceases, then wash with H2O and dry (MgSO4), filter, evaporate and distil the residue under a slight vacuum then at atmospheric pressure in a N2 atmosphere. IT IS A POWERFUL ALKYLATING AGENT, AND THE FUMES ARE VERY TOXIC — PERFORM ALL OPERATIONS IN AN EFFICIENT FUME CUPBOARD. [Gramstad & Haszeldine J Chem Soc 173 1956, Howells & McCown Chem Rev 77 69 1977, Beilstein 3 IV 34.]
