CH2CHF

CH2CHF, commonly written CH2=CHF, is the chemical formula for vinyl fluoride, the simplest fluorinated vinyl compound. It consists of a vinyl group (a carbon–carbon double bond) with a terminal fluorine substituent, giving the formula C2H3F. In industry it is primarily used as the monomer for polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and related fluoropolymers. Vinyl fluoride is a volatile fluorinated alkene that polymerizes readily to form PVF, which exhibits high chemical resistance and good electrical insulation properties. It is also known as fluoroethylene or 1-fluoroethene.

Production and handling: In industry, vinyl fluoride is typically produced by dehydrofluorination of 1,2-difluoroethane to give CH2=CHF and HF. It can also be generated in situ from other fluorinated precursors in fluorination processes. It is usually handled as a gas or low-boiling liquid under controlled conditions, with storage and transfer in corrosion-resistant equipment.

Properties: CH2=CHF is a colorless, volatile vinyl halide. The carbon–carbon double bond drives polymerization, while the carbon–fluorine bond contributes to the chemical and thermal stability of derived materials. As a monomer, it readily undergoes radical-initiated or other polymerization methods to give PVF and related copolymers.

Safety: Vinyl fluoride is a hazardous chemical; exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It is flammable and should be handled with proper ventilation, leak detection, and personal protective equipment. Reactions and polymerization should be controlled to prevent hazardous runaway processes, and storage should avoid contact with strong oxidizers.