difluoroethylene

Difluoroethylene refers to any molecule with the chemical formula C2H2F2, meaning it contains two fluorine atoms and two hydrogen atoms bonded to a two-carbon framework. There are three possible isomers of difluoroethylene, distinguished by the relative positions of the fluorine and hydrogen atoms around the double bond. These isomers are 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene (which exists as cis-1,2-difluoroethylene and trans-1,2-difluoroethylene), and 2,2-difluoroethylene is not possible due to valency rules, meaning it should be 1,1-difluoroethylene and 1,2-difluoroethylene.

1,1-Difluoroethylene, also known as vinylidene fluoride (VDF), is a colorless gas with a faint ethereal odor. It is a key monomer used in the production of polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability, and piezoelectric properties. PVDF finds applications in coatings, electrical insulation, and membranes.

1,2-Difluoroethylene exists as two geometric isomers: cis-1,2-difluoroethylene and trans-1,2-difluoroethylene. Both are colorless gases. The cis isomer has the two fluorine atoms on the same side of the double bond, while the trans isomer has them on opposite sides. These isomers have different physical properties, such as boiling points and dipole moments. They can be synthesized through various fluorination reactions and are sometimes used as intermediates in organic synthesis or as research chemicals.