Perfluorooctyl Iodide is a perfluoroalkyl iodide used in organocatalysis via substrate activation by halogen bonding. Perfluorooctyl Iodide is a potential candidate substitute for banned Halon fire extinguishers.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Levels of aldosterone production, cortisol, and 17β-estradiol were elevated significantly, and the level of testosterone generation decreased upon treatment with 100 μM PFOI. Similar to the effect induced by forskolin (AC activator), expression of all 10 genes involved in synthesizing steroid hormones was upregulated significantly upon exposure to 100 μM PFOI. PFOA had no effect on steroid hormone production or steroidogenic gene expression, even though it is highly structurally similar to PFOI. Therefore, the terminal -CF2I group in PFOI could be a critical factor for the mediation of steroidogenesis. PFOI increased AC activity and cAMP levels in H295R cells, which implied an underlying mechanism for the disturbance of steroidogenesis. These data suggest that PFOI may act as an AC activator, thereby stimulating steroidogenesis by activating a cAMP signaling pathway[3].
Safety Profile
Slightly toxic by intravenous route. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic vapors of Fí and Ií.
Environmental considerations
Production of perfluorooctyl iodide (PFOI) has great commercial value. PFOI is a potential estrogenic compound. Studies have shown that the concentration of PFOI is relatively higher in the air and soil than the concentrations of the other derivatives of Perfluorinated iodine alkanes (PFIs). In addition, the degradation of PFIs can cause the formation of other Perfluorinated iodine alkanes (PFCs), thereby resulting in environmental behaviors similar to those of FTOHs. Release of PFIs may increase the environmental burden of PFCs[1-2].
