Fluorochemical

Name:
Fluorochemical
Detailed information:
Organic compounds, not necessarily hydrocarbons, in which a large percentage of the hydrogen directly attached to carbon has been replaced by fluorine. The presence of two or more fluorine atoms on a carbon atom usually imparts stability and inertness to the compound, and fluorine usually increases the acidity of organic acids.

Derivation:

(1) Electrolysis of solutions in hydrogen fluoride (Simons process); (2) replacement of chlorine or bromine by fluorine with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a catalyst(antimony trifluoride or pentafluoride); (3) addition of hydrogen fluoride to olefins or acetylene.

Use:

Dielectric and heat-transfer liquids, pump sealants, surfactants, metering devices, special solvents.

See Fluorocarbon; Fluoroelastomer.