Title: Tetrafluoroethylene
CAS Registry Number: 116-14-3
CAS Name: Tetrafluoroethene
Additional Names: perfluoroethene; TFE
Molecular Formula: C2F4
Molecular Weight: 100.02
Percent Composition: C 24.02%, F 75.98%
Line Formula: CF2=CF2
Literature References: Monomer of the plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, q.v. Prepn: O. Ruff, O. Bretschneider, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 210, 173 (1933). Structural study: T. T. Broun, R. L. Livingston, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 6084 (1952). Physical properties: M. M. Renfrew, E. E. Lewis, Ind. Eng. Chem. 38, 870 (1946). Addition reactions: D. D. Coffman et al., J. Org. Chem. 14, 747 (1949). Thermodynamics and kinetics of mfr by pyrolysis of chlorodifluoromethane: P. B. Chinoy, P. D. Sunavala, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 26, 1340 (1987). Review of mfr: Y. Venkateswarlu, P. S. Murti, Chem. Process. Eng. 4, 25-36 (1970); of chemistry: M. Saijwani, Dinkar, Labdev J. Sci. Tech. 9-A, 1-12 (1971); of toxicology: G. L. Kennedy, Jr., Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 21, 149-170 (1990).
Properties: Colorless, odorless gas, bp760 -76.3°. mp -142.5°. d 1.519. Critical temp: 33.3°. Critical press.: 572 lb/sq in. Critical d 0.58. Insol in water. LC50 (4 hr) in rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs (ppm): 37500-45000, 35000, 28500, 28000 (Kennedy). Highly flammable when exposed to heat or flame. Reacts violently with oxygen.
Melting point: mp -142.5°
Boiling point: bp760 -76.3°
Density: d 1.519; d 0.58
Toxicity data: LC50 (4 hr) in rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs (ppm): 37500-45000, 35000, 28500, 28000 (Kennedy)
CAUTION: This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-245.
Use: In mfr of polymers and synthesis of fluorinated refrigerants, dielectric media and solvents. In vinyl polymerization, cycloalkylation and addition reactions. |