Question

What is a tosylate group?

Answer 1

Tosylate group:

• It is a good leaving group.
• It can be used to convert alcohols into tosylates.
• Tosylates are good substitution substrates because they react with nucleophiles in the same way as alkyl halides do.
• Tosylates have a far superior leaving group than the original alcohol:
• Mesylates (using ${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{SO}}_2\mathrm{Cl}$) and triflates are alternatives to tosylates (using ${\mathrm{CF}}_3{\mathrm{SO}}_2\mathrm{Cl}$).

Structure of Tosylate group:

Properties of Tosylate group:

• It is generally considered a univalent organic compound.
• Tosylate are considered as good substrate.