Trifluoromethanesulfonyl azide is prepared by treating
trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride with
sodium azide, traditionally in
dichloromethane. However, the use of dichloromethane is avoided since it can generate highly explosive azido-chloromethane and diazidomethane. The reaction may also instead be conducted in
toluene,
acetonitrile, or
pyridine. : (Tf = ) An alternative route starts from
imidazole-1-sulfonyl azide. ==Reactions==