Breakthrough In Chemical Separation Captures Fluorocarbons Dynamically

Fluorocarbons, sometimes referred to as perfluorocarbons, are organofluorine compounds that contain only carbon and fluorine bonded together in strong carbon–fluorine bonds. The electron withdrawing nature, or electronegativity, of fluorine results in many of the unique characteristics of fluorocarbons. For example, the electronegativity of fluorine makes single bonds to carbon remarkably strong. Resultingly, fluoroalkanes are more chemically and thermally stable than alkanes. However, fluorocarbons with double bonds (fluoroalkenes) and especially triple bonds (fluoroalkynes) are more reactive than corresponding hydrocarbons. Also, the electronegativity of fluorine also reduces the cohesive intermolecular forces of fluorocarbons by mitigating the effect of the London dispersion force. Fluoroalkanes can serve as oil-repellant/water-repellant fluoropolymers, solvents, liquid breathing research agents, and powerful greenhouse gases. Unsaturated fluorocarbons tend to be used as reactants, as fluorocarbons with double and triple bonds are not as stable as fluorocarbons with single bonds.
PFOS, a fluorocarbon derivativeMany chemical compounds are labeled as fluorocarbons, perfluorinated, or with the prefix perfluoro- despite containing atoms other than carbon or fluorine, such as chlorofluorocarbons or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These highly-fluorinated compounds are fluorocarbon derivatives, and not true fluorocarbons according to the IUPAC definition. Fluorocarbon derivatives share many of the properties of fluorocarbons, while also possessing new properties due to the inclusion of new atoms. For example, fluorocarbon derivatives can function as fluoropolymers, refrigerants, solvents, anesthetics, fluorosurfactants, and ozone depletors.[...]

Breakthrough In Chemical Separation Captures Fluorocarbons Dynamically:Scientists have made a breakthrough in chemical separation. The new chemical separations using porous solids mostly rely on size selection, meaning that compounds too large to squeeze through the pores are excluded. The work by the research group describes a class of ionic solids that can selectively capture certain fluorocarbons dynamically.[...]