Bromofluoromethane

Bromofluoromethane is a mixed gaseous halomethane soluble in alcohol and very soluble in chloroform.

Its standard molar entropy, S^<s>o</s>_gas is 276.3 J/(mol K) and heat capacity, c_p is 49.2 J/(mol K).

Preparation

Up to date, it has been prepared by three prevailingly ineffective methods:

1. From salts of fluoroacetic acid using a Hunsdiecker type of reaction.
2. From dibromofluoromethane by reductive debromination with a Swarts reagent.
3. From a dihalomethane by an halogen exchange reaction or from a halomethane by catalyzed bromination or fluorination.

The method with the highest yield is reductive debromination of dibromofluoromethane using an organotin hydride.

Uses

Bromofluoromethane is an important reagent in the manufacture of intermediates, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. Usage of bromofluoromethane is regulated due to its ozone depletion potential (0.73). Its isotopomer CH₂Br¹⁸F contains fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) and is used in radiochemistry.

References

External sources

• Determination of the molecular dipole moment of bromofluoromethane
• http://www.valliscor.com/bromofluoromethane