Hexafluoro-2-propanol

Hexafluoro-propan-2-ol is prepared from hexafluoropropylene through hexafluoroacetone, which is then hydrogenated. :(CF3)2CO + H2 → (CF3)2CHOH ==Solvent properties==

As a solvent, hexafluoro-2-propanol is polar and exhibits strong hydrogen bonding properties. Testament to the strength of its hydrogen-bonding tendency is the fact that its 1:1 complex with THF distills near 100 °C. It has a relatively high dielectric constant of 16.7. It is also relatively acidic, with a pKa of 9.3, comparable to that for phenol. Hexafluoro-propan-2-ol is a speciality solvent for organic synthesis, particularly for reactions involving oxidations and strong electrophiles. For example, HFIP enhances the reactivity of hydrogen peroxide as applied to Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones. It has also found use in biochemistry to solubilize peptides and to monomerize β-sheet protein aggregates. Because of its acidity (pKa = 9.3), it can be used as acid in volatile buffers for ion pair HPLC – mass spectrometry of nucleic acids. Hexafluoro-propan-2-ol has also been evaluated as a solvent for electrolysis. ==Medicine==

It is both the precursor and the chief metabolite of the inhalation anesthetic sevoflurane. Sevoflurane gets metabolized within the body into HFIP and formaldehyde. HFIP is inactive, non-genotoxic and once formed, is rapidly conjugated with glucuronic acid and eliminated as a urinary metabolite. ==Safety==

Toxicity Hexafluoro-2-propanol has very low acute toxicity, hence its use as a precursor to anesthetics. Although it has low acute toxicity, it is a strong irritant to skin and eyes. placing HFIP as a reproductive toxicity category 2 material. Environment and toxicity HFIP is a specialty chemical that is produced in small quantities, thus it is not of significant environmental concern. Its environmental implications have been assessed. HFIP also belongs to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). ==References==