Applications of Methyl Nonafluorobutyl Ether

The IUPAC name of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (C5H3F9O) is 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-4-methoxybutane, also known as HFE-7100 with the CAS registry number 163702-07-6. It is a clear liquid with the boiling point of 38.7 °C at 760 mmHg.

Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is mainly used as a lubricant of high technology equipment. The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is zero because it does not contain chlorine. The global warming potential (GWP) of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is 500 because it has an ether group in the molecule. The atmospheric lifetime (ALT) of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is 4.1 years. Therefore, methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is a substance which belongs to the group of hydrofluoroethers (HFEs), which are good options as replacements for chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons, due to the nontoxic nature of these substances and their relatively favorable environmental parameters (near-zero ODP, low GWP, and short ALT)¹. The boiling point and low surface tension of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether make it ideal for use as a cleaning solvent, low temperature heat transfer fluid, refrigerant, lubricant carrier, etc. as a pure compound or azeotropic component2. Therefore, methyl-nonafluorobutyl ether can be used as a new potential solvent for dry-cleaning processes, which could be a competitive alternative to the most efficient and commonly solvent used in the dry-cleaning industry: perchloroethylene (PERC)³. Besides high flame retardancy, these non-flammable HFEs possess some attractive features, including low viscosity, low melting point, low surface tension and good electrochemical stability. Usually, non-flammable HFEs are mixed with ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) or diethyl carbonate (DEC) and used as electrolytes for lithium ion batteries. For example, a mixture of diethylene glycol diethylether and non-flammable methyl nonafluorobutyl ether was a new electrolyte for lithium ion batteries with low viscosity and 3.8 mS cm-1 of conductivity at 25 oC4. Another example is one lithium-ion battery with mixtures of triethylene glycol dimethylether, fluoroethylene carbonate and non-flammable methyl-nonafluorobutyl ether as safe electrolytes⁵. 

Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether could be synthesized from 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butanol, which is the product of reaction of C3F6 with CH3OH, initiated by vacuum ultraviolet⁶.

Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether could be was recovered with higher efficiency by the activated carbon fiber, which has a higher specific surface area, and the granular activated carbon, which has a smaller particle size⁷.

Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether should be stored in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. When you are using this chemical, please be cautious about it as the following:

The methyl nonafluorobutyl ether is irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin, so people should not breathe vapor and avoid contact with skin and eyes.

References

1.Sekiya, A.; Misaki, S., The potential of hydrofluoroethers to replace CFCs, HCFCs and PFCs. J Fluorine Chem 2000, 101 (2), 215-221.
2.(a) Munoz-Rujas, N.; Aguilar, F.; Bazile, J.-P.; Montero, E. A., Liquid density of mixtures Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (HFE-7100)+2-propanol at pressures up to 140 MPa and temperatures from 298.15 K to 393.15 K. Fluid Phase Equilibria 2016, 429, 281-292; (b) Rehak, K.; Klajmon, M.; Strejc, M.; Moravek, P., Isothermal Vapor-Liquid Equilibria for Binary Mixtures of Methyl Nonafluorobutyl Ether plus Acetone, Cyclopentyl Methyl Ether, Ethyl Acetate, n-Heptane, Methanol, and Toluene. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data 2017, 62 (11), 3878-3888.
3.Garate, M. P.; Bejarano, A.; de la Fuente, J. C., Vapour pressures for 1-(butoxymethoxy)butane (dibutoxymethane) and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-4-methoxybutane (methyl nonafluorobutyl ether) over the pressure range of (15-80) kPa. Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics 2016, 101, 351-355.
4. Fang, S.; Wang, G.; Qu, L.; Luo, D.; Yang, L.; Hirano, S.-i., A novel mixture of diethylene glycol diethylether and non-flammable methyl-nonafluorobutyl ether as a safe electrolyte for lithium ion batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015, 3 (42), 21159-21166.