Octafluorocyclobutane, or perfluorocyclobutane, C₄F₈, is an

organofluorine compound Organofluorine chemistry describes the chemistry of the organofluorines, organic compounds that contain the carbon–fluorine bond. Organofluorine compounds find diverse applications ranging from oil and water repellents to pharmaceuticals, refri ...

which enjoys several niche applications. Octafluorocyclobutane is a colourless gas and shipped as a liquefied gas. It is the perfluorinated analogue of

cyclobutane Cyclobutane is a cycloalkane and organic compound with the formula (CH2)4. Cyclobutane is a colourless gas and commercially available as a liquefied gas. Derivatives of cyclobutane are called cyclobutanes. Cyclobutane itself is of no commercial ...

whereby all C–H bonds are replaced with C–F bonds.

Production

Octafluorocyclobutane is produced by the dimerization of

tetrafluoroethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is a fluorocarbon with the chemical formula C2 F4. It is the simplest perfluorinated alkene. This gaseous species is used primarily in the industrial preparation of fluoropolymers. Properties Tetrafluoroethylene is a ...

and the reductive coupling of 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane..

Applications

In the production of

semiconductor A semiconductor is a material which has an electrical resistivity and conductivity, electrical conductivity value falling between that of a electrical conductor, conductor, such as copper, and an insulator (electricity), insulator, such as glas ...

materials and devices, octafluorocyclobutane serves as a deposition gas and

etchant Etching is a printmaking technique in art. Etching may also refer to: * Etching (microfabrication), a process in producing microelectronics * Glass etching, a glass decoration technique * Chemical milling, or industrial etching * Photochemical ma ...

.{{cite web , url = http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/Encyclopedia.asp?GasID=50#GeneralData , work = Gas Encyclopaedia , publisher = Air Liquide , title = Octafluorocyclobutane (RC318) , accessdate = May 15, 2013 It has also been investigated as a

refrigerant A refrigerant is a working fluid used in the heat pump and refrigeration cycle, refrigeration cycle of air conditioning systems and heat pumps where in most cases they undergo a repeated phase transition from a liquid to a gas and back again. Ref ...

in specialised applications, as a replacement for

ozone depleting Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s: a steady lowering of about four percent in the total amount of ozone in Earth's atmosphere, and a much larger springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone (the ozone l ...

chlorofluorocarbon Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are fully or partly halogenated hydrocarbons that contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and fluorine (F), produced as volatile derivatives of methane, ethane, and prop ...

refrigerants. Exploiting its volatility and chemical inertness, octafluorocyclobutane may be found in some aerosolized foods. It is listed by the

Codex Alimentarius The Codex Alimentarius () is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations relating to food, food production ...

under number 946 (E946 for EU). It is investigated as a possible replacement for

sulfur hexafluoride Sulfur hexafluoride or sulphur hexafluoride (British spelling) is an inorganic compound with the formula SF6. It is a colorless, odorless, non- flammable, and non-toxic gas. has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached ...

as a

dielectric gas A dielectric gas, or insulating gas, is a dielectric material in gaseous state. Its main purpose is to prevent or rapidly quench electric discharges. Dielectric gases are used as electrical insulators in high voltage applications, e.g. transformers ...

References

Appendix

Its critical point is at 115.3 °C and 2.79 MPa. Perfluoroalkanes Aerosol propellants Refrigerants Dielectric gases Cyclobutanes