Co- and terpolymers of trifluoroethylene (CF2=CHF; TrFE) are becoming increasing important in high-tech, valued-added materials due to their special electroactive properties. On the other hand, this monomer has been reported to be a deflagrant where traditional free-radical inhibitors like limonene may also not completely render this monomer safe. We have found that tetrafluoropropionate salts ([K][O2CF2CF2H] and [K][O2CCHFCF3]) can be thermally decomposed to give mixtures of TrFE and CO2, like that of pentafluoropropionate salts gives tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and CO2. Thermal gravimetric analyses indicate that weight loss from the 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate salt is extremely rapid, which may represent an additional safety hazard, but the 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate salt decomposes more slowly and will also be more economical to prepare. The identity of TrFE has been confirmed by both vibrational and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies, and the known derivative BrCF2CHFBr has also been prepared. Not unexpectedly, SEM/EDAX analyses of the solids remaining after pyrolysis confirm the presence of KF and carbon. Combustion experiments of mixtures of TrFE and varying amounts of CO2 were carried out in Munich in an apparatus previously describe for measuring the combustion of other hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). The results of these and other experiments will be reported.

New laboratory-scale synthesis of trifluoroethylene

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.