1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE

Chemical properties

Colorless gas; faint ethereal odor. Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and ether.

Chemical properties

Vinylidene fluoride is a colorless gas. Faint ethereal odor. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.

The Uses of 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE

1,1-Difluoroethylene is used in the manufacture of polyvinylidene fluoride for its use as a thermal, chemical, and ultraviolet light–resistant agent, and as an anticorrosive agent. The monofilament form is used as filter cloth in the pulp and paper industry. Due to its high melting temperature, it can be used as an insulator. Some of its copolymers are used for their heat- and moisture-resistant properties, primarily in industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications.

The Uses of 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE

Polymers and copolymers, chemical intermediate.

Definition

ChEBI: Vinylidene fluoride is an organofluorine compound and an olefinic compound.

General Description

1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE (or vinylidene fluoride) is a colorless gas which is flammable in the ranges of 5.5 to 21%. 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE is toxic by inhalation and contact. 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE is slightly soluble in water and soluble in alcohol and ether. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.

Reactivity Profile

1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE is sensitive to heat. 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE is incompatible with oxidizers. 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE can react violently with hydrogen chloride. Alkyl boron and alkyl hyponitrite compounds initiate polymerization. 1,1-DIFLUOROETHYLENE will form peroxides on exposure to pure oxygen. .

Health Hazard

Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Some may be toxic if inhaled at high concentrations. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.

Fire Hazard

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Will form explosive mixtures with air. Silane will ignite spontaneously in air. May polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

Safety Profile

Suspected carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Mutation data reported. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidzers. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Violent reaction with hydrogen chloride when heated under pressure. To fight fire, stop flow of gas. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F-. See also FLUORIDES.

Potential Exposure

Vinylidene fluoride is used in the formulation of many polymers and copolymers, such as chlorotrifluoroethylene-vinylidene fluoride (Kel F), perfluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride (Viton, Fluorel); polyvinylidene fluoride; and hexafluoropropylene-tetra-fluoroethylene- vinylidene fluoride; elastomeric copolymers. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in organic synthesis. NIOSH has estimated 32,000 workers are exposed annually.

Environmental Fate

Oxidative metabolism of 1,1-Difluoroethylene is mediated by the hepatic microsomal monooxygenase to form epoxide and the inactivation of hemeprotein.

Shipping

UN1959 Vinylidene fluoride shipped as 1,1-Difluoroethylene or Refrigerant gas R-1132a, Hazard Class: 2.1; Labels: 2.1-Flammable gas. Cylinders must be transported in a secure upright position, in a well-ventilated truck. Protect cylinder and labels from physical damage. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to transport and refill them. It is a violation of transportation regulations to refill compressed gas cylinders without the express written permission of the owner.

Toxicity evaluation

1,1-Difluoroethylene is a colorless gas. It is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents such as alcohol and ether. Its boiling point is -85°C, melting point is -144°C, specific gravity is 0.617 g cm^-3, and vapor pressure is 3.0×10⁴ mm Hg. Its octane/water partition coefficient is 1.24 and Henry’s law constant is 0.4 atm-m³ mol^-1.
Production and use of 1,1-Difluoroethylene result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. It has medium mobility in soil and degrades in soil. It volatilizes from the contaminated water. Aquatic bioconcentration and adsorption to sediment are not very significant. As a gas form in the atmosphere, it reacts with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals and degrades.

Incompatibilities

idizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, aluminum chloride. Capable of forming unstable peroxides, which can cause explosive polymerization. It can re act violently with hydrogen chloride. Alkyl boron and alkyl hyponitrite compounds initiate polymerization. It will form peroxides on exposure to pure oxygen. May accumulate static electricity, and cause ignition of its vapors.

Waste Disposal

Return refillable compressed gas cylinders to supplier.