octafluoropropane

Octafluoropropane, with the chemical formula C3F8, is a perfluorinated alkane. It is commonly known as octafluoropropane or perfluoropropane; the systematic IUPAC name is 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3-octafluoropropane. The molecule is best described as CF3–CF2–CF3, the fully fluorinated derivative of propane.

Physical properties: Octafluoropropane is a colorless, nonflammable gas at room temperature and is chemically inert under most conditions. It is denser than air and boils at a temperature well below ambient conditions, so it is typically encountered as a gas.

Production and handling: It is manufactured industrially by fluorination of propane or related hydrocarbon feedstocks and is marketed as a high-purity gas for specialized uses. It is usually stored and shipped under pressure.

Uses: A principal application is in ophthalmology, where C3F8 is used as a long-acting intraocular tamponade gas in retinal detachment surgery. The gas forms a temporary bubble inside the eye to support the retina as it heals.

Safety and environment: Inhalation can displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation; it is non-toxic at typical exposure levels but should be handled in well-ventilated areas. As a fully fluorinated hydrocarbon, octafluoropropane is a potent greenhouse gas with a very long atmospheric lifetime, contributing to radiative forcing. It is subject to regulatory controls under international climate conventions.