(513er) Acidity Measurement of Haloalkane Acids and Their Effects on Catalytic Activity

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is used as a catalyst where a strong acid is needed. It offers a safer, easily handled alternative to conventional acids such as hydrogen fluoride (HF), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃); which are widely used in many vital industrial processes. Many efforts have been made for the development of various fluoroalkane sulfonic acids such as tetrafluoroethane sulfonic acid, hexafluoropropane sulfonic acid, etc. Literature suggests several novel features of these types of acids include: 1) relatively low volatility and high boiling point translate to the safer handling of these acids, and 2) higher conversion and yield in acid-catalyzed reactions. However, there is no existing literature about acidity assessment of these acids and their catalytic activity correlation. This presentation will describe the investigation of both acidity and catalytic activity of super acidic haloalkane sulfonic acids and their correlation. This presentation will also describe the comparison with strong known acids such as H₂SO₄, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, etc.