A perfluorinated compound (PFC) is an organofluorine compound with all hydrogens replaced by fluorine on a carbon chain—but the molecule also contains at least one different atom or functional group. Thus, PFCs have properties similar to fluorocarbons (a wholly carbon and fluorine containing compound) as they are fluorocarbon derivatives. They have unique properties to make materials stain, oil, and water resistant, and are widely used in diverse applications. PFCs persist in the environment as persistent organic pollutants, but unlike PCBs, they are not known to degrade by any natural processes due to the strength of the carbon–fluorine bond.[1]
There are many PFCs, but the two most studied[2] compounds are:
Other PFCs include:
PFOS and POSF are included within Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Polyfluorinated compounds, such as fluorotelomers, can serve as precursors that degrade to form perfluorinated carboxylic acids, such as PFOA and PFNA.
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