Synthesis of 2-pentafluorosulfanylnaphthalene

A three step synthesis of 2-pentafluorosulfanylnaphthalene is reported. Initial addition of SF5Cl to benzobarralene was followed by elimination to form 2-pentafluorosulfanylbenzobarralene. Heating of this compound with 3,6-bis-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine led to elimination of the ethylene bridge via a sequence of cycloadditions and retro-cycloadditions to form the title compound.