CF3CF25COOH

CF3CF25COOH, also known as perfluoroheptanoic acid, is a synthetic perfluorinated carboxylic acid. It is a member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family, characterized by a chain of carbon atoms where all hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. The formula CF3CF25COOH indicates a seven-carbon perfluorinated chain with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end.

Perfluoroheptanoic acid is a stable compound due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bonds. It is soluble in water and organic solvents. Due to its chemical stability and surfactant properties, it has been used in various industrial applications, although its specific uses are less widespread compared to some other PFAS compounds. It can be formed as a degradation product of longer-chain fluorinated polymers.

Like other PFAS, perfluoroheptanoic acid is persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in organisms. Its presence has been detected in water, soil, and biological tissues. Research into its environmental fate, potential health effects, and human exposure is ongoing. Regulatory bodies worldwide are evaluating and in some cases restricting the use of PFAS, including perfluoroheptanoic acid, due to concerns about their persistence and potential impacts.