Bromotrifluoroethylene (BTFE) is a halogenated ethylene derivative with the chemical formula . It is a highly flammable colourless gas with a musty odour resembling phosgene. It can polymerise spontaneously.Arthur J. Elliott, Bromotrifluoroethylene in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Preparation Bromotrifluoroethylene can be prepared from chlorotrifluoroethylene with high yields:
It was first prepared by the Belgian chemist Frédéric Swarts in 1899.Industrial Polymers and Radiation: Proceedings of the Symposium Held at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, February 12–14, 1979.
Reactions and uses Bromotrifluoroethylene forms metal complexes with substituted phosphine compounds and platinum(II).V.A. Mukhedkar, B.J. Kavathekar, A.J. Mukhedkar, Reactions of metal complexes Rearrangement reactions of bromotrifluoroethylene-bis(substituted phosphine)-platinum (II), Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Volume 37, Issue 2, February 1975, Pages 483-485
BTFE can polymerise on standing. Spontaneous polymerisation may be inhibited by addition of tributylamine.Fluorine chemistry: a comprehensive treatment (1995), pages 479–480 UV light and heat may accelerate polymerisation. It participates in various co-polymerisation reactions. BTFE telomers are oily liquids sold under the tradename BFC oil. The telomers can be prepared with fluorotrichloromethane or tetrachloromethane as telogens. If tetrachloromethane is used for the telomerisation, it will have -CCl terminals. It is a useful reagent for the synthesis of trifluorovinyl compounds.
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