Pentafluorophenol is the

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 ...

(specifically a

fluoroalcohol Fluoroalcohols are organofluorine compounds consisting of an alcohol functional group with at least one C-F bond. These compounds often have distinctive solvent properties. Perfluoroalcohols Most primary and secondary perfluoroalcohols are unst ...

) with the formula C₆F₅OH. This is the perfluorinated analogue of

phenol Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it req ...

. It is a white odorless solid that melts just above room temperature. With a pKa of 5.5, it is one of the most acidic

Uses

Pentafluorophenol is used to prepare pentafluorophenyl esters, which are

active ester In organic chemistry, an active ester is an ester functional group that is highly susceptible toward nucleophilic attack. Activation can be imparted by modifications of the acyl or the alkoxy components of a normal ester, say ethyl acetate. Typical ...

s useful in

peptide synthesis In organic chemistry, peptide synthesis is the production of peptides, compounds where multiple amino acids are linked via amide bonds, also known as peptide bonds. Peptides are chemically synthesized by the condensation reaction of the carboxyl ...

Environmental hazards

Pentafluorophenol is considered hazardous because of oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity and because it causes "severe skin burns and eye damage."

References

{{Reflist Fluoroarenes Perfluorinated compounds Phenols