The preparation is described of a compound of formula (I) comprising an —SO.sub.2F function by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a fluorinating agent selected from hydrofluoric acid and an ionic fluoride of a monovalent or divalent cation:
R—SO.sub.2F  (I)
R′—SO.sub.2X  (II)
where R is selected from the groups R1, R2 and R3: R1=—C.sub.nH.sub.aF.sub.b with n=1-10, a+b=2n+1, b≧1; R2=—C.sub.xH.sub.yF.sub.z—SO.sub.2F with x=1-10, y+z=2x and z≧1; R3=φ-C.sub.cH.sub.hF.sub.f with c=1-10; h+f=2c and f≧1;
where R′ is selected from the following groups R′1, R′2 and R′3: R′1=—C.sub.nH.sub.aX.sub.b with n=1-10, a+b=2n+1, b≧1; R′2=—C.sub.xH.sub.yX.sub.z—SO.sub.2X with x=1-10, y+z=2x and z≧1; R′3=φ-C.sub.cH.sub.hX.sub.f with c=1-10; h+f=2c and f≧1; φ denoting a phenyl group; X═Cl, Br.

The preparation is described of a compound of formula (I) comprising an —SO.sub.2F function by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a fluorinating agent selected from hydrofluoric acid and an ionic fluoride of a monovalent or divalent cation:
R—SO.sub.2F  (I)
R′—SO.sub.2X  (II)
where R is selected from the groups R1, R2 and R3: R1=—C.sub.nH.sub.aF.sub.b with n=1-10, a+b=2n+1, b≧1; R2=—C.sub.xH.sub.yF.sub.z—SO.sub.2F with x=1-10, y+z=2x and z≧1; R3=φ-C.sub.cH.sub.hF.sub.f with c=1-10; h+f=2c and f≧1;
where R′ is selected from the following groups R′1, R′2 and R′3: R′1=—C.sub.nH.sub.aX.sub.b with n=1-10, a+b=2n+1, b≧1; R′2=—C.sub.xH.sub.yX.sub.z—SO.sub.2X with x=1-10, y+z=2x and z≧1; R′3=φ-C.sub.cH.sub.hX.sub.f with c=1-10; h+f=2c and f≧1; φ denoting a phenyl group; X═Cl, Br.

A conjugate may have formula (1), i.e., M-[(L1).sub.a-(L2).sub.b-(D).sub.c] (1), wherein M is a biological macromolecule having a nucleophilic functional group, M is linked to L1 with the nucleophilic functional of M, D is a functional molecule, L2 is a linker, and L1 is a compound of formula 1

##STR00001##

wherein R is F or OH, and L2 is linked to R.sub.1, R.sub.3 or R.sub.2, a is an integer of 1 to 10, b, c is each independently an integer of 0 to 10, provided that b and c are not simultaneously 0. R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3, may independently be H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl, and R.sub.1, may be H or isotope thereof ? C may link R.sub.1 and a C linking R.sub.2 form a ring.

In one aspect, there is provided a method of coupling an aromatic or vinylic compound having a fluorosulfonate substituent to a boron-containing compound. In another aspect, there is provided a method of coupling an aromatic or vinylic compound having a hydroxyl substituent to a boron-containing compound in a one-pot reaction.

The present disclosure relates to the preparation of a compound of formula (I) comprising an SO.sub.2F function, RSO.sub.2F, by reacting a compound of formula (II), RSO.sub.2X, with a fluorinating agent, the process carried out in the liquid phase in the presence of hydrofluoric acid using an antimony-based fluorination catalyst, wherein R, R, and X are described herein.

The present disclosure relates to the preparation of a compound of formula (I) comprising an SO.sub.2F function, RSO.sub.2F, by reacting a compound of formula (II), RSO.sub.2X, with a fluorinating agent, the process carried out in the liquid phase in the presence of hydrofluoric acid using an antimony-based fluorination catalyst, wherein R, R, and X are described herein.

The present disclosure relates to the preparation of a compound of formula (I) comprising an SO.sub.2F function, RSO.sub.2F, by reacting a compound of formula (II), RSO.sub.2X, with a fluorinating agent, the process carried out in the liquid phase in the presence of hydrofluoric acid using an antimony-based fluorination catalyst, wherein R, R, and X are described herein.

The invention relates to a novel synthesis method for forming superacid functional molecules that include monomers, as well as new polymers and copolymers formed from the monomers, and uses for these superacid molecules, polymers, and copolymers. The superacid molecules have an alpha, alpha-difluorosulfonic acid functionality that can be obtained by a reaction between various Grignard reagents and an alkyl(2-fluorosulfonyl)-1,1-difluoroacetate, such as methyl (2-fluorosulfonyl-1,1-difluoroacetate. The molecules, polymers and copolymers would be expected to have enhanced ion conductivity, and would be useful in a variety of applications, including as ion-conductive materials, surfactants, and ion exchange resins.

The invention relates to a novel synthesis method for forming superacid functional molecules that include monomers, as well as new polymers and copolymers formed from the monomers, and uses for these superacid molecules, polymers, and copolymers. The superacid molecules have an alpha, alpha-difluorosulfonic acid functionality that can be obtained by a reaction between various Grignard reagents and an alkyl(2-fluorosulfonyl)-1,1-difluoroacetate, such as methyl (2-fluorosulfonyl-1,1-difluoroacetate. The molecules, polymers and copolymers would be expected to have enhanced ion conductivity, and would be useful in a variety of applications, including as ion-conductive materials, surfactants, and ion exchange resins.