General Description

Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is a white crystalline solid with high thermal stability, low vapor pressure, and good solubility in polar solvents. It is commonly used as a fluorinating reagent in organic reactions and finds applications in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. It has been used successfully as an infiltrating agent in the production of fire-retardant wooden laminates, resulting in materials with excellent mechanical properties and flame resistance. While it is important to handle this compound with care and avoid skin and eye contact, when used properly, Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate poses a relatively low risk to human health. Precautions should still be taken to minimize exposure.

Figure 1. Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate

Properties

Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C4F9KO3S. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. One of the notable properties of Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is its high thermal stability. Additionally, it has a low vapor pressure, further contributing to its stability at elevated temperatures. Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is an effective fluorinating reagent due to its ability to transfer fluorine atoms to other compounds. It is commonly used as a catalyst or promoter in various organic reactions, especially those involving nucleophilic fluorination. Its ability to introduce fluorine atoms into organic molecules makes it a valuable tool in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials with enhanced properties. Another important property of Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is its excellent solubility in polar solvents. This characteristic enables its application in solutions and allows for easy handling and manipulation in various processes. In conclusion, potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate possesses several desirable properties, including high thermal stability, low vapor pressure, effective fluorination capabilities, and good solubility in polar solvents. ¹

Applications

Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate has various applications, particularly in the field of wooden laminates. In a study, Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate was used as an infiltrating agent to create a strong, tough, and fire-retardant wooden laminate. The process involved three steps: mild delignification, Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate infiltration, and hot-pressing. Mild delignification resulted in a well-preserved wood cell wall framework, providing the base for the laminate. Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate was then infiltrated into the micro/nano-structures of the wood, forming a flame-resistant protective barrier. The resulting wooden laminate exhibited excellent mechanical properties. It demonstrated superior flame-retardant performance compared to natural wood, making it a promising material for fire safety applications. The laminate also showed enhanced tensile strength and toughness compared to natural wood, indicating its suitability for structural applications. The use of Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate in the production of wooden laminates provides a simple and effective method for creating high-performance materials. These laminates fulfill stringent requirements for both mechanical resilience and flame-retardant efficacy, making them suitable for a range of applications where strength, toughness, and fire resistance are crucial. ²

Safety

Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate is a chemical compound that has several safety concerns. It can cause skin irritation, serious eye damage, and serious eye irritation. Additionally, it may cause respiratory irritation. The levels of this compound found in resident and industrial soil, as well as tap water, are all within safe limits. The chronic oral reference dose is also low, indicating that the amount that can be safely ingested over a prolonged period is low. However, it is important to note that dermal absorption from soil is only at a rate of 0.1, which means that if the chemical comes into contact with the skin, it is less likely to be absorbed. Overall, when handled and used properly, Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate poses a relatively low risk to human health. However, precautions should still be taken to avoid skin and eye contact and inhalation, and proper protective equipment should be worn when handling this chemical. ³

Reference

1. PubChem. COMPOUND SUMMARY: Potassium nonafluoro-1-butanesulfonate. National Library of Medicine, 2005, PubChem CID:23675274.

2. Han X, Wang X, Tian W, Wang Y, Wang J, Lam F, Jiang S. A Strong, Tough and Fire-Retardant Biomimetic Multifunctional Wooden Laminate. Polymers (Basel). 2023 Oct 12;15(20):4063.

3. Potassium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulphonate. European Chemicals Agency, EC / List no. 249-616-3.