Perfluoromethylcyclohexane is a

fluorocarbon Fluorocarbons are chemical compounds with carbon-fluorine bonds. Compounds that contain many C-F bonds often has distinctive properties, e.g., enhanced stability, volatility, and hydrophobicity. Fluorocarbons and their derivatives are commerci ...

liquid—a perfluorinated derivative of the

hydrocarbon In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ex ...

methylcyclohexane Methylcyclohexane (cyclohexylmethane) is an organic compound with the molecular formula is CH3C6H11. Classified as saturated hydrocarbon, it is a colourless liquid with a faint odor. Methylcyclohexane is used as a solvent. It is mainly converte ...

. It is chemically and biologically inert.

Manufacture

Perfluoromethylcyclohexane can be manufactured by the

Fowler process The Fowler process is an industry and laboratory route to fluorocarbons, by fluorinating hydrocarbons or their partially fluorinated derivatives in the vapor phase over cobalt(III) fluoride. Background The Manhattan Project required the producti ...

, which involves moderating the action of elemental fluorine with cobalt fluoride in the gas phase from

toluene Toluene (), also known as toluol (), is a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the smell associated with paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, consisting of a methyl group (CH3) at ...

. This is preferred as the starting material over methylcyclohexane as less fluorine is required.

Properties

Perfluoromethylcyclohexane is chemically inert and thermally stable (to over 400 °C). It is non-toxic. It is a clear, colorless liquid, with a relatively high density, low viscosity and low surface tension that will rapidly evaporate. It is a relatively good solvent for gases, but a poor solvent for solids and liquids. In common with other cyclic perfluorocarbons, perfluoromethylcyclohexane can be detected at extremely low concentrations, making it ideal as a tracer.

Applications

* Heat transfer agent * Dielectric fluid *

Perfluorocarbon tracer Perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) are a range of perfluorocarbons used in tracer applications. They are used by releasing the PFT at a certain point, and determining the concentration of that PFT at another set of points, allowing the flow from the ...

References

{{reflist Perfluoroalkanes Halogenated solvents Coolants