trifluoroethylene

Trifluoroethylene, also called 1,1,2-trifluoroethene or trifluoroethene, is an organofluorine compound with the formula C2HF3. It is a volatile, colorless fluorinated alkene characterized by the structure CF2=CHF, in which two fluorine atoms adorn one carbon and a single fluorine and a hydrogen adorn the other.

Its industrial use is limited relative to other fluorinated ethylenes. Trifluoroethylene is typically produced only in small quantities as an intermediate in the synthesis of fluorinated reagents and specialty polymers, and may be encountered as a byproduct in the processing of related compounds. It is not widely stored or transported as a bulk chemical.

Chemically, trifluoroethylene behaves as an activated alkene. It undergoes typical addition reactions across the carbon–carbon double bond, including halogenation and hydrofluorination, to yield saturated fluorinated derivatives. Although polymerization of trifluoroethylene is possible under radical initiation, it is less common in practice than polymerization of other fluorinated monomers, in part because the monomer is more hazardous to handle and its polymerization requires careful control.

Safety and handling: Trifluoroethylene is toxic and a potential irritant. It is handled under controlled conditions with proper ventilation and containment to prevent inhalation exposure and HF formation from fluorinated byproducts. Detailed safety data should be consulted from official safety data sheets or chemical inventories before any handling or experimentation.