An example of this is as a cross-coupling agent in fine chemical synthesis. Oftentimes, large molecules are made by coupling together two smaller molecules which have been carefully tailored. This coupling reaction has traditionally been done by noble metal catalyzed coupling of triflates. In comparison, PBSF reagent is roughly one-half the cost of triflic anhydride. Additionally, triflic anhydride readily reacts with water and has an unfavorable toxicity profile.
High reactivity makes triflic anhydride difficult to work with in an open environment.
Since even humidity in the air can react with triflic anhydride, time-consuming precautions must be taken when handling. Triflic anhydride's reactivity with water also makes storage difficult. PBSF, on the other hand, is a more practical reagent to use because it is very slow to react with water during storage and it can be handled in the open environment. When the patent application for PBSF as a fluorination reagent was filed, the business side of 3M became aware of the product and its uses. Knowing that PBSF was a good replacement for triflic anhydride and that 3M had the reagent readily available, 3M marketers sought companies that were using triflic anhydride.