Sulfinyl halide

Sulfinyl halide groups occur when a sulfinyl functional group is singly bonded to a halogen atom. They have the general formula R-S(O)-X, where X is a halogen, and are intermediate in oxidation level between sulfenyl halides, R-S-X, and sulfonyl halides, R-SO₂-X. The best known examples are sulfinyl chlorides, thermolabile, moisture-sensitive compounds, which are useful intermediates for preparation of other sufinyl derivatives such as sulfinamides, sulfinates, sulfoxides and thiosulfinates. Unlike the sulfur atom in sulfonyl halides and sulfenyl halides, the sulfur atom in sulfinyl halides is chiral, as shown for methanesulfinyl chloride.