Perfluoroisobutene
Encyclopedia
Perfluoroisobutene also known as 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)prop-1-ene, is a fluorocarbon
alkene
. It is a hydrophobic reactive gas with boiling point at 7 °C. It is a strong electrophile
.
PFIB is about 10 times as toxic as phosgene
. Its inhalation can lead to pulmonary edema
, which may be fatal. Onset of symptoms can take 1-4 hours after inhalation. Treatment is based on management of the pulmonary edema (usually with high-dose corticoids and other medication/measures) and associated disorders (e.g. heart failure, hypocalcemia etc.). Many cases resolve within 72 hours without major long-term effects.
In contact with water PFIB undergoes rapid hydrolysis
, producing various reactive compounds and fluorophosgene.
PFIB is a product of pyrolysis
of polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE), one of the substances causing polymer fume fever
.
It is a Schedule 2 substance of the Chemical Weapons Convention
.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbons, sometimes referred to as perfluorocarbons or PFCs, are organofluorine compounds that contain only carbon and fluorine bonded together in strong carbon–fluorine bonds. Fluoroalkanes that contain only single bonds are more chemically and thermally stable than alkanes...
alkene
Alkene
In organic chemistry, an alkene, olefin, or olefine is an unsaturated chemical compound containing at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond...
. It is a hydrophobic reactive gas with boiling point at 7 °C. It is a strong electrophile
Electrophile
In general electrophiles are positively charged species that are attracted to an electron rich centre. In chemistry, an electrophile is a reagent attracted to electrons that participates in a chemical reaction by accepting an electron pair in order to bond to a nucleophile...
.
PFIB is about 10 times as toxic as phosgene
Phosgene
Phosgene is the chemical compound with the formula COCl2. This colorless gas gained infamy as a chemical weapon during World War I. It is also a valued industrial reagent and building block in synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds. In low concentrations, its odor resembles...
. Its inhalation can lead to pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema , or oedema , is fluid accumulation in the air spaces and parenchyma of the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure...
, which may be fatal. Onset of symptoms can take 1-4 hours after inhalation. Treatment is based on management of the pulmonary edema (usually with high-dose corticoids and other medication/measures) and associated disorders (e.g. heart failure, hypocalcemia etc.). Many cases resolve within 72 hours without major long-term effects.
In contact with water PFIB undergoes rapid hydrolysis
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which molecules of water are split into hydrogen cations and hydroxide anions in the process of a chemical mechanism. It is the type of reaction that is used to break down certain polymers, especially those made by condensation polymerization...
, producing various reactive compounds and fluorophosgene.
PFIB is a product of pyrolysis
Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures without the participation of oxygen. It involves the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase, and is irreversible...
of polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that finds numerous applications. PTFE is most well known by the DuPont brand name Teflon....
(PTFE), one of the substances causing polymer fume fever
Polymer fume fever
Polymer fume fever or fluoropolymer fever, also informally called Teflon flu, is an inhalation fever caused by the fumes released when Polytetrafluoroethylene is heated to between 300 °C and 450 °C. When PTFE is heated above 450 °C the pyrolysis products are different and inhalation may cause...
.
It is a Schedule 2 substance of the Chemical Weapons Convention
Chemical Weapons Convention
The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Its full name is the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction...
.