Fluoroethers and Fluoroamines

Abstract

Abstract Perfluoroaliphatic ethers and tertiary amines are members of a class of unreactive compounds known in the industry as inert fluids. These compounds are prepared by electrochemical fluorination, direct fluorination using elemental fluorine, or cobalt trifluoride fluorination. They are nontoxic, nonflammable, have densities of 1.7–1.9 g/cm 3 , surface tensions of 9–19 mN/m, and lower kinematic viscosities than hydrocarbons. Their thermal stabilities are comparable to the perfluoroalkanes. The low polarizability of these liquids makes them excellent insulators. Their chemical properties are characterized by their extreme unreactivity. Perfluoroaliphatic ethers and amines do not react with most oxidizing or reducing agents nor with strong acids or bases. They are generally poor solvents for most organic compounds, with the exception of highly fluorinated compounds. The lower molecular weight compounds are used in the electronics industry as heat‐transfer fluids, for testing of electronic circuitry, and in vapor‐phase soldering. The higher molecular weight polymers are used as hazardous duty vacuum pump oils, specialty greases, and lubricants.