Hexafluoropropene Oxide — A Key Compound in Organofluorine Chemistry

Of the important C₃-compounds in organofluorine chemistry, namely hexafluoropropene, hexafluoroacetone and hexafluoropropene oxide, the latter is chemically the most versatile compound. Hexafluoropropene oxide provides another example of the frequently observed change in reactivity when hydrocarbon compounds are converted into their perfluorinated derivatives. The overwhelming majority of the known reactions of hexafluoropropene oxide are initiated through attack by a nucleophile. The conversion of hexafluoropropene oxide into hexafluoroacetone in the presence of Lewis acids is the basis of further development of the chemistry of this synthetic chemical. Hexafluoropropene oxide is also regarded as a convenient source of difluorocarbene. In industrial chemistry it now plays a significant part in the manufacture of high-grade organofluorine products.