Fluorotelomer alcohol

The synthesis of fluorotelomer alcohols requires a varying number of tetrafluoroethylene monomers that form an oligomer with a pentafluoroethyl iodide telogen.

The fluorinated iodide then undergoes an addition with ethylene to form an organoiodine compound with increased synthesis possibilities.

[5][6] These studies reported environmental degradation half-life ranges for these commercial fluorotelomer-based polymers of 33 to 112 years.

[7] Fluorotelomer alcohols can biodegrade to perfluorinated carboxylic acids, which persist in the environment and are found in the blood serum of populations and wildlife, such as the toxic PFOA and PFNA.

[14] The United States Environmental Protection Agency has asked eight chemical companies to reduce the amount of residuals, including fluorotelomer alcohols, from products.