378-76-7 | Potassium pentafluoropropionate

CAS:378-76-7 | Potassium pentafluoropropionate ,Description

Potassium pentafluoropropionate is an organic compound with the molecular formula KC3F5O2. It is a colorless, odorless, and highly soluble solid that is widely used in scientific research and industrial applications. It is primarily used as a reagent in organic synthesis and as an electrolyte for electrochemical processes. It is also used as a buffer in biochemistry and as a catalyst in chemical reactions.
 

Scientific Research Applications

Preparation of Tetrafluoroethylene

Potassium pentafluoropropionate is utilized in the generation of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), a critical precursor for the production of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon. The preparation involves the pyrolysis of potassium pentafluoropropionate under dynamic vacuum, a method developed to overcome the limitations posed by the compound's inherent danger and commercial unavailability. This process has been optimized to yield TFE with more than 98% efficiency from the acid-base neutralization method and approximately 80% from the silanolate method, showcasing the compound's significance in the synthesis of valuable fluoropolymers (Hercules et al., 2017).

Potassium Tetrahydrogen Pentafluoride Structure

In a distinct application, potassium pentafluoropropionate contributes to the understanding of fluorine chemistry through the study of potassium tetrahydrogen pentafluoride (KF·4HF). This compound, prepared by reacting anhydrous hydrofluoric acid with potassium fluoride, has been analyzed to reveal its crystal structure. The research provides insights into the interactions between fluorine atoms and potassium ions, which is critical for designing new fluorine-containing materials and understanding their properties (Coyle, Schroeder, & Ibers, 1970).

Agricultural Research

Although potassium pentafluoropropionate itself may not be directly involved, the study of potassium in agriculture highlights the importance of potassium-related compounds. Research emphasizes the need for understanding potassium's role in soils and plant nutrition, potentially guiding future studies on compounds like potassium pentafluoropropionate for their effects on plant growth and soil health (Römheld & Kirkby, 2010) .

Cross-Coupling Reactions

The compound finds relevance in organic chemistry through its potential role in facilitating cross-coupling reactions. For example, perfluoroorganotrifluoroborate salts, related to potassium pentafluoropropionate, have been utilized in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to yield fluorinated products, showcasing the broader applicability of potassium and fluorine-containing reagents in synthesizing complex organic molecules (Frohn et al., 2002).

Electrolyte Additives for Energy Storage

In the field of energy storage, derivatives of potassium pentafluoropropionate, such as potassium hexafluorophosphate, have been investigated as electrolyte additives to improve the performance of lithium metal batteries. These studies aim to enhance charge/discharge capacity and efficiency, demonstrating the potential of fluorinated potassium compounds in advancing battery technology (Hagos et al., 2019).

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