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Perfluoroheptane is a fully fluorinated seven-carbon alkane with high chemical stability, low surface tension, strong dielectric performance, and a low normal boiling point.
Perfluoroheptane is a clear, dense, nonflammable liquid that is practically insoluble in water and poorly miscible with conventional hydrocarbon liquids.
Perfluoroheptane finds specialized use in electronics, thermal management, precision testing, archival conservation, analytical work, and scientific research.
Perfluoroheptane requires effective vapour containment and emission control because fully fluorinated alkanes are exceptionally resistant to environmental degradation.
CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND COMMON NAMES
Perfluoroheptane is produced by replacing every hydrogen atom of heptane with fluorine.
The linear material is specifically identified as n-Perfluoroheptane, while commercial Perfluoroheptane can also be supplied as a mixture of linear and branched isomers.
Perfluoroheptane is chemically distinct from Perfluoroheptanoic acid and Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid.
Perfluoroheptane contains no carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, ether, hydrogen-bearing, or other reactive functional group.
Chemical Name: Perfluoroheptane
IUPAC Name: 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-Hexadecafluoroheptane
CAS Index Name: Heptane, hexadecafluoro-
Chemical Family: Perfluoroalkanes
Substance Group: Perfluorocarbons
Structure Type: Saturated linear perfluorocarbon
Synonyms and Common Names: Perfluoroheptane, n-Perfluoroheptane, Perfluoro-n-heptane, Perfluoroheptanes, Hexadecafluoroheptane, n-Hexadecafluoroheptane, Hexadecafluoro-n-heptane, Heptane, hexadecafluoro-, Heptane, perfluoro-, Heptane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-hexadecafluoro-, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-Hexadecafluoroheptane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-Hexadecakis(fluoranyl)heptane, Fully fluorinated heptane, Fully fluorinated n-heptane, Perfluorinated heptane, C7 perfluoroalkane, C7 perfluorocarbon, n-C7F16, C7F16, NSC 79256, AI3-16935
TECHNICAL IDENTIFICATION
CAS Number: 335-57-9
EC Number: 206-392-1
Molecular Formula: C7F16
Molecular Weight: 388.05 g/mol
UNII: I23ZVD1P1L
PubChem CID: 9553
ChEBI ID: CHEBI:38847
RTECS Number: MJ0875000
Beilstein Number: 1716335
MDL Number: MFCD00040339
InChIKey: LGUZHRODIJCVOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Canonical SMILES: FC(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)C(F)(F)F
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance: Clear, colourless liquid
Odour: Odourless or very faint
Physical State: Liquid
Boiling Point: Approximately 82–84 °C
Freezing Point: Approximately −51.3 °C for high-purity linear material
Density: Approximately 1.72–1.75 g/cm³ at 20–25 °C
Vapour Pressure: Approximately 10.2 kPa at 25 °C
Relative Vapour Density: Approximately 13.4, with air equal to 1
Water Solubility: Approximately 0.013 mg/L at 25 °C
Water Behaviour: Practically insoluble and denser than water
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.26–1.30
Dynamic Viscosity: Approximately 0.9 mPa·s
Surface Tension: Approximately 13 mN/m
Dielectric Constant: Approximately 1.76
Thermal Conductivity: Approximately 0.06 W/m·K at 25 °C
Specific Heat Capacity: Approximately 1.08 J/g·K at 25 °C
Enthalpy of Vaporization: Approximately 36.3 kJ/mol
Critical Temperature: Approximately 201.8 °C
Critical Pressure: Approximately 16.2 bar
pH: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not applicable
Flammability: Nonflammable
Explosive Properties: Not explosive under normal conditions
Oxidizing Properties: Not oxidizing
The boiling point, critical constants, vapour-pressure relationship, and phase-transition behaviour of Perfluoroheptane are documented in the standard thermophysical record.
The low boiling point produces rapid evaporation and supports boiling-based heat transfer, controlled drying, and residue-free processing.
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Perfluoroheptane combines high density with low viscosity and low surface tension.
These properties support penetration into fine spaces, rapid drainage, effective wetting of fluorophilic surfaces, and circulation through compact equipment.
Perfluoroheptane is both hydrophobic and oleophobic.
Perfluoroheptane therefore forms a separate lower liquid phase when combined with water and remains poorly miscible with many hydrocarbon oils and conventional organic solvents.
Perfluoroheptane provides strong electrical insulation and does not support combustion.
Perfluoroheptane can contact energized electronic components when equipment design, fluid purity, temperature, and electrical requirements are properly matched.
Perfluoroheptane dissolves substantial quantities of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases compared with many conventional liquids.
This gas-carrying capacity supports laboratory research involving oxygen transport, multiphase systems, acoustic droplets, and gas-liquid mass transfer.
Perfluoroheptane remains stable toward water, dilute acids, dilute bases, and many ordinary process materials.
Perfluoroheptane decomposes under severe heating, flame, electrical arcing, or other high-energy conditions and can generate hydrogen fluoride and additional toxic fluorinated gases.
PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIAL FORMS
Perfluoroheptane can be produced through controlled fluorination of heptane or a suitable halogenated C7 precursor.
Industrial routes can employ elemental fluorine, high-valent metal fluorides, or electrochemical fluorination under highly controlled conditions.
Fluorination replaces carbon-hydrogen and carbon-halogen bonds with carbon-fluorine bonds.
Reaction control limits carbon-chain cleavage, skeletal rearrangement, incomplete fluorination, cyclic products, and shorter-chain or longer-chain perfluorocarbon by-products.
Crude Perfluoroheptane is separated from acidic fluorination products and residual fluorinating agents.
Washing, neutralization, drying, fractional distillation, and fine filtration provide the finished liquid.
High-purity linear Perfluoroheptane is separated by precise fractional distillation and chromatographic characterization.
Mixed-isomer material contains linear and branched C7F16 structures and normally exhibits a broader boiling profile.
Perfluoroheptane is commercially supplied as high-purity n-isomer, mixed-isomer technical material, electronics-grade liquid, research reagent, analytical reference material, and application-specific perfluorocarbon fluid.
Commercial assay levels commonly range from approximately 80 percent for technical isomer mixtures to 98 percent or higher for purified material.
APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIES
Electronics Cooling and Thermal Management
Perfluoroheptane serves as a nonflammable dielectric heat-transfer liquid for direct-contact cooling, cold-plate systems, laboratory thermal studies, and specialized immersion equipment.
Perfluoroheptane supports boiling-based heat removal near its 82–84 °C boiling range and provides electrical isolation around energized components.
Semiconductor and Electronic Processing
Perfluoroheptane functions as a specialty carrier, rinsing medium, thermal-control fluid, and process-testing liquid in controlled electronic manufacturing environments.
Perfluoroheptane supports applications requiring low ionic contamination, low nonvolatile residue, chemical inertness, and rapid evaporation.
Electronic Reliability and Leak Testing
Perfluoroheptane finds application in gross-leak testing, hermetic-package evaluation, thermal-shock work, and failure analysis.
Perfluoroheptane enters fine leakage paths effectively because of its low viscosity and surface tension.
Precision Cleaning
Perfluoroheptane supports specialized removal of compatible fluorinated residues, particles, and process contaminants from sensitive assemblies.
Perfluoroheptane evaporates without an oily film when high-purity material and controlled cleaning equipment are used.
Chemical Research and Fluorous-Phase Processing
Perfluoroheptane functions as a fluorous reaction medium, extraction phase, chromatography medium, and phase-separation liquid.
Perfluoroheptane preferentially accommodates highly fluorinated compounds while excluding many aqueous and hydrocarbon-soluble materials.
Paper and Archival Conservation
Perfluoroheptane serves as a nonaqueous carrier for finely divided alkaline particles used in paper and book deacidification.
Perfluoroheptane distributes the treatment material through paper fibres and then evaporates, leaving the alkaline reserve within the treated paper.
Analytical Laboratories
Perfluoroheptane functions as a retention reference, mass-spectrometric reference, fluorine-containing standard, solvent-property model, and calibration material.
Perfluoroheptane also supports thermodynamic, phase-equilibrium, vapour-pressure, solubility, and spectroscopy research.
Biomedical and Acoustic Research
Perfluoroheptane supports experimental studies involving oxygen-carrying emulsions, gas transport, acoustic droplet vaporization, ultrasound-responsive particles, and controlled phase transitions.
Perfluoroheptane intended for biomedical research requires purity, particle, endotoxin, sterility, and formulation controls beyond ordinary industrial specifications.
GRADE SELECTION AND PRODUCT SUITABILITY
High-Purity Linear Grade
High-purity n-Perfluoroheptane is selected when a narrow boiling range, defined thermophysical properties, and controlled molecular structure are required.
Important criteria include assay, linear-isomer content, branched isomers, boiling range, water, acidity, nonvolatile residue, and suspended particles.
Mixed-Isomer Grade
Mixed-isomer Perfluoroheptane is suitable for general research, carrier-fluid, and technical applications that do not require pure linear thermophysical behaviour.
Procurement should define total C7F16 assay, isomer profile, distillation range, lighter perfluorocarbons, heavier perfluorocarbons, and residual fluorinated intermediates.
Electronics Grade
Electronics-grade Perfluoroheptane requires very low water, ionic contamination, metals, halides, acidity, nonvolatile residue, and particle content.
Dielectric strength, volume resistivity, boiling range, cleanliness, and material compatibility are central selection parameters.
Heat-Transfer Grade
Heat-transfer selection focuses on boiling point, vapour pressure, viscosity, density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, latent heat, dielectric performance, and fluid stability.
System design must also address vapour recovery, condenser capacity, pump compatibility, fluid inventory, and emission control.
Analytical and Research Grade
Analytical-grade Perfluoroheptane requires characterized identity, assay, isomer composition, traceable batch information, and controlled packaging.
Specialized analytical work can additionally require fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance characterization and quantified homologous perfluorocarbon impurities.
FORMULATION AND PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS
Perfluoroheptane has limited solvency for conventional oils, waxes, polymers, and hydrocarbon contaminants.
Cleaning trials should therefore match the contaminant chemistry to the fluorophilic and low-polarity solvency profile of Perfluoroheptane.
Perfluoroheptane evaporates rapidly at ordinary process temperatures because of its low boiling point and significant vapour pressure.
Closed equipment, condensers, vapour-return lines, sealed reservoirs, and controlled transfer systems reduce consumption and atmospheric emissions.
Perfluoroheptane vapour is considerably heavier than air and accumulates in pits, low points, tanks, and inadequately ventilated equipment.
Low-level extraction and oxygen monitoring support safe enclosed-system operation.
Perfluoroheptane can provide single-phase cooling below its boiling point or two-phase cooling near its saturation temperature.
Pressure, temperature, condenser duty, fluid purity, and component heat flux determine thermal performance.
Perfluoroheptane-based particle dispersions require controlled particle size, settling behaviour, redispersibility, carrier purity, and evaporation rate.
Archival formulations also require compatibility with inks, dyes, adhesives, coatings, paper additives, and binding materials.
QUALITY, SPECIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION
Perfluoroheptane identity is established through gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and comparison with characterized reference material.
Quantitative chromatographic methods should provide suitable detector response for fully fluorinated compounds.
Routine testing includes appearance, identity, assay, isomer distribution, boiling range, density, refractive index, water, acidity, fluoride, halides, metals, nonvolatile residue, and suspended matter.
Electronics-grade testing adds particle count, ionic contamination, dielectric strength, volume resistivity, and compatibility with equipment materials.
Thermal-fluid evaluation includes vapour pressure, viscosity, heat capacity, thermal conductivity, latent heat, saturation behaviour, and repeated-cycle cleanliness.
Recovery and reclamation programs additionally monitor low-boiling degradation products, high-boiling residues, water, and process contamination.
Procurement documentation normally includes the product specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, batch number, production date, retest date, isomer designation, net quantity, packaging description, storage conditions, and applicable regulatory declarations.
SAFETY AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Harmonized European Classification: No harmonized classification assigned
Common High-Purity Grade Classification: Warning
Skin Hazard: Causes skin irritation
Eye Hazard: Causes serious eye irritation
Inhalation Hazard: Vapour or mist can cause respiratory irritation
Flammability Hazard: Nonflammable
Confined-Space Hazard: Dense vapour can displace oxygen
Thermal Hazard: Severe heating produces toxic and corrosive fluorinated decomposition gases
Perfluoroheptane has low acute systemic toxicity under normal controlled handling conditions.
The principal workplace risks are vapour accumulation, oxygen displacement, skin and eye irritation, aerosol inhalation, and exposure to thermal decomposition products.
Perfluoroheptane is not listed as a carcinogen and has no established occupational exposure limit.
Engineering control should therefore minimize airborne exposure and prevent confined-space accumulation.
Perfluoroheptane meets broad structural definitions used for PFAS.
Perfluoroheptane is not currently listed as a substance of very high concern and is not subject to a substance-specific European authorization or general use restriction in the current substance record.
A broad European PFAS restriction remains under regulatory evaluation and can affect future manufacture, import, use, and placement on the market.
Product stewardship should address destination-specific PFAS reporting, sector controls, emissions, waste, and application restrictions.
Perfluoroheptane is not an ozone-depleting substance and is not listed as a persistent organic pollutant.
Atmospheric release should nevertheless be minimized because stable volatile perfluorocarbons can remain in the atmosphere for long periods and contribute to climate forcing.
FIRST AID
Inhalation
Move the exposed person to fresh air and keep the person at rest.
Provide oxygen or artificial respiration when breathing is impaired.
Obtain medical attention when coughing, dizziness, breathing difficulty, or other symptoms occur.
Skin Contact
Remove contaminated clothing.
Wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical attention when irritation persists.
Eye Contact
Rinse cautiously with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses when present and easy to remove.
Continue rinsing and obtain medical attention when irritation persists.
Ingestion
Rinse the mouth.
Do not induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Obtain medical attention when symptoms occur or a significant amount has been swallowed.
Note to Physicians
No specific antidote is established for Perfluoroheptane exposure.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Clinical management should address respiratory irritation, oxygen deficiency, eye exposure, and possible inhalation of liquid or aerosol.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling
Handle Perfluoroheptane in closed or well-contained equipment.
Avoid breathing vapour or mist and prevent contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and suitable protective clothing.
Use respiratory protection when ventilation cannot control airborne concentrations.
Ventilation
Provide effective general ventilation and local extraction at filling, transfer, sampling, heating, and open-vessel points.
Provide low-level extraction where dense vapour can accumulate.
Use oxygen monitoring for tanks, pits, enclosed systems, and confined spaces.
Storage
Keep Perfluoroheptane in a tightly closed, correctly labelled container.
Store Perfluoroheptane in a cool, dry, shaded, and well-ventilated area.
Protect Perfluoroheptane from excessive heat, flames, electrical arcs, and strong oxidizing agents.
Keep Perfluoroheptane containers upright and protected from physical damage.
Spill Control
Ventilate the affected area and eliminate exposure to concentrated vapour.
Contain the liquid with compatible noncombustible absorbent material.
Collect Perfluoroheptane into a sealed compatible container for recovery or controlled disposal.
Prevent Perfluoroheptane from entering drains, soil, surface water, or groundwater.
PACKAGING AND PROCUREMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Perfluoroheptane is supplied in sealed glass bottles, compatible polymer containers, metal cans, jerricans, drums, and returnable bulk systems.
Closures and seals must resist low-surface-tension liquid penetration and maintain vapour tightness.
Transport Status: Not regulated as dangerous goods
UN Number: Not assigned
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Marine Pollutant Classification: Not assigned
Procurement should define linear or mixed-isomer form, assay, boiling range, density, water, acidity, fluoride, halides, homologues, nonvolatile residue, particles, metals, dielectric requirements, package size, and regulatory documentation.
Closed-loop application systems should include fluid recovery, vapour condensation, inventory control, leak detection, and an approved waste route.
For Perfluoroheptane product information, specifications, documentation, packaging options, and procurement support, contact Ataman Kimya at +90 216 577 10 10 or info@atamankimya.com.
