| HS Code | 366462 |
| Chemical Name | 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-methoxypropane |
| Common Name | Hexafluoroisopropyl Methyl Ether |
| Cas Number | 13171-18-1 |
| Molecular Formula | C4H4F6O |
| Molecular Weight | 182.06 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Boiling Point | 50 °C |
| Melting Point | -78 °C |
| Density | 1.393 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Vapor Density | 6.28 (air = 1) |
| Refractive Index | 1.288 |
| Vapor Pressure | 240 mmHg at 20 °C |
| Flash Point | -25 °C |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, ether, chloroform |
As an accredited Hexafluoroisopropyl Methyl Ether factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether is supplied as 100 mL in an amber glass bottle with PTFE closure, under nitrogen. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Hexafluoroisopropyl Methyl Ether: 20′ FCL loading as packed drums/IBCs, secured and ventilated, complying with dangerous goods regulations. |
| Shipping | Hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether should be transported as a flammable liquid. Proper shipping description: **UN 1993, Flammable Liquids, n.o.s. (Hexafluoroisopropyl Methyl Ether), Class 3, Packing Group III**. Use approved grounded containers, keep cool and well-ventilated, and display flammable-liquid labels. Check carrier and compatibility requirements before shipment. |
| Storage | Store Hexafluoroisopropyl Methyl Ether in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, open flames, and direct sunlight. Keep it separate from oxidizing agents and incompatible materials. Ensure the container is upright to prevent leaks, and follow all safety data sheet guidelines for handling and disposal. |
| Shelf Life | Store in a cool, dry, sealed container away from light and moisture. Shelf life is typically two years under recommended conditions. |
In printed circuit board assembly lines operating with lead-free solders whose liquidus spans 217°C to 227°C, organic acid–activated no-clean fluxes leave hygroscopic residues that reduce surface insulation resistance under biased humidity. Hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether (CAS 13171-18-1) is charged into sealed vapor degreasing machines at 100 vol% or in a binary blend containing 70–90 vol% of the ether and 10–30 vol% of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene; acid acceptance is maintained above 0.2 wt% expressed as oleic acid, and the stabilizer package does not exceed 0.1 wt%. Cleaned assemblies are assessed under IPC-J-STD-001H, with ionic contamination extracted by the IPC-TM-650 2.3.25 ROSE procedure and target values below 1.56 μg/cm² NaCl equivalence on unpopulated surfaces. The production process uses three-stage immersion with ultrasonic agitation at 40 kHz and 150–300 W/gal, followed by a vapor rinse in a chamber with freeboard ratio ≥1.0; continuous solvent regeneration through a desiccant bed and atmospheric distillation keeps water below 200 ppm and removes dissolved flux acids from the rinse sump. In high-density area array packages with 0.4 mm pitch, field reports from production lines indicate that reducing ultrasonics below 40 kHz leaves solder flux within under-component air gaps, whereas excessive cavitation damages 25 μm gold wire bonds. Moisture ingress from humid plant air above 60% relative humidity reduces stripping power and must be controlled by nitrogen blanketing. Terminal product types include high-density interconnect printed circuit assemblies, solder paste stencils with laser-cut apertures, palladium-finished leadframes, and optical microelectromechanical systems.
Single-phase immersion cooling racks operating at 48 VDC require a dielectric working fluid with volume resistivity above 10^9 Ω·cm, moisture content below 50 ppm, and a kinematic viscosity low enough to permit 0.5–1.5 m/s flow across microchannel cold plates. The ether is used undiluted at 100 vol%; retrofit tank charge is determined by fluid hold-up in the rack and external circulation loop, with make-up rates on production lines typically below 0.5 L/day per 100 kW of thermal load. Compliance is verified through ASTM D877 for dielectric breakdown voltage, ASTM D445 for kinematic viscosity at 40°C, ISO 2719 for flash point, and safety classification under ASHRAE 34. The process circulates fluid from submerged servers through a coolant distribution unit with 10 μm full-flow filtration, brazed plate heat exchangers, and automatic deaeration skids that hold dissolved oxygen below 50 ppb. Heat transfer surfaces in high-density deployments are susceptible to sludge accumulation when filtration is omitted; field inspection of cold plates with 0.2–0.5 mm slot widths shows silicate and copper oxide deposits after 3,000–5,000 h of continuous operation. Quarterly monitoring of acid number by ASTM D974 and particulate counts by ISO 4406 is recommended because oxidative degradation of wetted elastomer seals can release plasticizer fractions into the loop. Materials compatibility boundaries require coupon testing before use with polyurethane conformal coatings, acrylic adhesives, and tin-bismuth solder joints; published data for this specific compound under sustained 48 VDC bias at 60°C is limited. Terminal product types include sealed server immersion modules, power supply tanks, and liquid-cooled edge computing units.
Electrolyte blends for NMC811/graphite cells are prepared by adding the fluorinated ether at 10–25 vol% to ethylene carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate mixtures containing 1.0 M LiPF6; above 30 vol%, published screening data for fluorinated monoethers show ionic conductivity at 25°C falling below 4 mS/cm, and separator wetting on polyethylene membranes becomes insufficient for high-rate discharge. Safety and transport compliance of the filled cells is evaluated under UN 38.3, IEC 62281, and IEC 62660-2, while moisture specifications for the electrolyte are controlled by ASTM E1064 Karl Fischer titration with acceptance below 20 ppm. Downstream mixing occurs in jacketed stainless vessels under nitrogen blanketing in a dry room with dew point ≤ −40°C; the ether is pre-dried over molecular sieves with 3 Å pore size to <20 ppm water before addition, and the final electrolyte is filtered through 0.1 μm PTFE membranes prior to vacuum filling at ≤ −0.095 MPa. Formation cycling uses the first charge at 0.05 C to establish a stable solid electrolyte interphase; process engineers should not blend the fluorinated ether with protic additives at concentrations above 100 ppm, because LiPF6 hydrolysis liberates hydrogen fluoride and accelerates transition metal dissolution from the cathode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of symmetric coin cells at 25°C indicates charge transfer resistance increases above 30 vol%, correlating with reduced lithium-ion solvation. Because the ether has a lower boiling point than carbonate cosolvents, storage tank vent condensers must be set at −10°C or lower during vacuum filling to reduce evaporative loss. Terminal product types include 21700 cylindrical cells for power tools, aluminum prismatic cells for light electric vehicles, and high-rate pouch cells for data center uninterruptible power supplies.
Automated bearing assembly lines applying perfluoropolyether greases by ultrasonic spray encounter non-uniform coatings when undiluted lubricant is metered at film weights below 0.5 g/m²; the resulting torque scatter increases rejection rates in miniature deep-groove bearings. The ether is therefore charged as a volatile carrier at 95–99 wt%, with the perfluoropolyether lubricant fraction held at 1–5 wt%; the resulting dispersion displays kinematic viscosity between 10 mPa·s and 100 mPa·s at 25°C depending on spray nozzle and lubricant grade. Final film performance is verified using ASTM D2596 for extreme pressure load-carrying capacity and ASTM D445 for lubricant base oil viscosity, while the carrier is assessed for flash point according to ASTM D92. The dispersion is manufactured in closed high-shear mixers at 8,000–12,000 rpm for 15–30 min, degassed under −0.08 MPa, and filtered through 5 μm polypropylene elements before spray application at 0.3–0.5 MPa atomizing air pressure. Batch-to-batch viscosity variance at 1 wt% lubricant is minimized by maintaining disperser tip speed between 10 m/s and 15 m/s; lower tip speeds yield agglomerates that clog 5 μm filters and increase pressure drop across the spray head. Evaporation proceeds at 60–80°C in forced-air tunnels, leaving a uniform perfluoropolyether film without silicone or hydrocarbon contamination. The solvent is not suitable for open dip tanks without local exhaust because vapor density exceeds air density; ventilation rates below 10 air changes per hour increase worker exposure above occupational exposure limits. Terminal product types include miniature electric power steering actuator bearings, aerospace flight control bearings, and precision linear guide rails.
Oxygen regulators, valve bodies, and manifold assemblies for medical and aerospace oxygen service require removal of hydrocarbon contamination to below 10 mg/m² to minimize risk of ignition under adiabatic compression. The ether is used neat at 100 vol% as a final rinse after aqueous alkaline degreasing; no detergents or stabilizers are added because nonvolatile residues from inhibitor packages can exceed oxygen-clean thresholds. Compliance is aligned with ASTM G93-03 cleaning methods for oxygen-enriched environments and CGA G-4.1 for equipment cleaning, with residual nonvolatile matter measured gravimetrically after evaporation. The process proceeds through immersion in ultrasonically agitated solvent at 40 kHz and 10–15 W/L, a vapor-phase rinse over a heated sump, and nitrogen drying at 40–50°C with supply gas filtered to 0.2 μm; operators must verify that wetted elastomer seals are compatible with the ether because swelling of nitrile and ethylene propylene diene monomer materials has been observed in fluorinated solvent service. Aluminum valve bodies are processed separately from titanium components to prevent galvanic corrosion in the solvent bath, and titanium fasteners must not contact aluminum baskets unless the solvent is specifically inhibited. Published data for this specific compound under 20.7 MPa oxygen autogenous ignition testing is limited; component-level validation is therefore required before use on titanium or titanium-alloy oxygen paths. Terminal product types include medical oxygen regulators, aviation oxygen manifold assemblies, and hyperbaric chamber valve components.
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Hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether (CAS 13171-18-1; C4H4F6O; molar mass 182.06 g/mol) is a low-boiling hydrofluoroether supplied as a specialty cleaning fluid, fluorochemical intermediate, and diluent for moisture-sensitive coating operations. The six fluorine atoms concentrated on the isopropyl carbon increase liquid density and reduce polarizability relative to unfluorinated ethers such as diethyl ether. Commercial product is offered in an industrial grade and a higher-purity electronic grade, although grade nomenclature is not harmonized across suppliers. A typical electronic grade is designated by a supplier-specific model such as HFPME-EG; the exact model, stabilizer content, and release limits must be verified against the manufacturer certificate of analysis. Representative bulk containers include 200 L stainless steel drums and 20 L fluoropolymer-lined pails with nitrogen blanketing. The product is classified as a flammable liquid when the closed-cup flash point is reported below 23 °C; exact values are batch- and method-dependent and must be read from the supplier safety data sheet.
Incoming material is controlled by assay, water content, non-volatile residue, chloride content, and peroxide content. Chloride is measured separately because ionic residues compromise surface insulation resistance in electronic assemblies even when total non-volatile residue is within specification. The following values are representative for a commercial electronic grade and an industrial grade; they are not universal specifications and must be confirmed against the supplier certificate of analysis.
| Parameter | Electronic grade | Industrial grade | Analytical method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assay (wt%) | ≥99.0 | ≥98.0 | Capillary gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection, internal normalisation |
| Water content (µg/g) | ≤50 | ≤200 | Karl Fischer coulometry per ISO 760:1978 or ASTM D6304 |
| Non-volatile residue (µg/g) | ≤5 | ≤10 | Evaporation and gravimetric finish per ASTM D1353-13 |
| Chloride (µg/g) | ≤1 | ≤5 | Ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection after aqueous extraction |
| Peroxide as H2O2 (mg/kg) | ≤10 | ≤20 | Iodometric titration according to supplier method |
Process engineers should not assume that electronic-grade assay alone prevents contamination. The low surface tension, typically reported below 17 mN/m at 20 °C, enables the fluid to penetrate narrow gaps but also promotes leakage through conventional elastomer seals. Production-scale transfer uses stainless steel or PTFE-lined piping; EPDM and perfluoroelastomer gaskets are preferred based on supplier compatibility data, while nitrile rubber and neoprene show measurable swell after 48 h immersion at 25 °C. The product is stored under nitrogen because atmospheric moisture partitions into the ether phase. Containers are grounded during drum filling and filtration because the liquid has low electrical conductivity; transfer velocity in non-conductive tubing is kept below 1 m/s to reduce static discharge. A 0.5 µm coalescing filter and a 10 µm particulate filter are placed upstream of high-pressure spray manifolds in cleaning lines.
The primary process constraint is flammability. In conventional open-top vapour degreasers designed for non-flammable chlorinated or brominated solvents, a low flash point combined with a boiling point below 55 °C creates a vapour zone that may enter the flammable range unless the equipment is inerted. Conversion therefore requires explosion-proof electrical classification consistent with IEC 60079-10-1 zone definitions, continuous lower-explosive-limit monitoring, and a freeboard ratio of at least 1.5:1 above the vapour zone. In closed-loop systems, the vapour space is held at oxygen concentrations below 8 vol% by nitrogen dilution; published data for this specific configuration is limited, but analogous low-boiling ether systems use the same control logic. A further constraint is evaporative loss. A 500 L heated sump at 50 °C is typically fitted with a two-stage condenser set at 5 °C and -15 °C rather than relying on ambient water cooling. The product is not a drop-in replacement for n-propyl bromide or trichloroethylene in open-top degreasers; its use in such equipment without engineering controls falls outside the equipment manufacturer’s explosion-safety envelope.
Compared with methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (HFE-7100, CAS 163702-07-6) and ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether (HFE-7200, CAS 163702-05-4), hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether has a shorter alkyl substituent and a secondary hydrogen on the central carbon. This structural difference lowers the normal boiling point and raises the hydrogen-to-fluorine ratio, reducing the non-flammability margin reported for HFE-7100 and HFE-7200. Supplier technical bulletins place the liquid density of the product at 1.38–1.42 g/cm³ at 20 °C, while HFE-7100 and HFE-7200 are reported near 1.52 g/cm³ and 1.43 g/cm³, respectively. The lower density alters displacement of moisture from blind vias; the higher-density HFE-7100 gives better gravimetric separation in some sump configurations, whereas the lower boiling point of hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether shortens room-temperature drying. In ultrasonic cleaning equipment operating at 40 kHz and 12–15 W/L, the product is used at 20–30 °C to prevent excessive cavitation loss; HFE-7100 is often run at 35–40 °C because of its higher boiling point.
Unlike water-based and semi-aqueous cleaners, hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether leaves no surfactant residue, but it has no inherent ability to remove polar salts without a separate polar cosolvent because its dielectric constant is below 10 at 20 °C. In contrast, glycol ether blends and alcohol-modified solvent systems can dissolve ionic residues but may leave non-volatile residue. Hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether is therefore selected for no-residue drying and defluxing of high-reliability assemblies when a subsequent aqueous rinse for salt removal is not acceptable.
In laboratory and pilot-scale synthesis, the compound is considered where a low-boiling ethereal diluent is required and diethyl ether is excluded on safety grounds. The electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms suppress radical abstraction at the ether α-carbon relative to diethyl ether, but the fluorinated molecule has a low dielectric constant and weak solvation of alkali metal cations, which reduces the solubility of lithium reagents compared with tetrahydrofuran. Pilot-plant additions involving 2–5 wt% of the ether to fluorinated monomer solutions are conducted at -10 °C to 0 °C to suppress vapour losses. The material is not a direct replacement for tetrahydrofuran in polymer-grade applications because its boiling point is lower and its ability to dissolve common salts is limited; published kinetic data for this specific configuration is limited, and process development is normally based on comparative solvent screening rather than established rate constants.
The product is structurally related to sevoflurane (CAS 28523-86-6), which is fluoromethyl hexafluoroisopropyl ether. The methyl ether differs by replacement of the fluoromethyl group with a methyl group, reducing molar mass from 200.06 g/mol to 182.06 g/mol and changing the pharmacological profile. Sevoflurane is manufactured under pharmacopoeial control as an inhalation anaesthetic; hexafluoroisopropyl methyl ether is not suitable for pharmaceutical use unless manufactured under an applicable GMP quality system and validated for the intended role. The structural similarity creates a supply-chain contamination risk. Gas chromatographic methods using non-polar columns may not achieve baseline separation between the two molecules; a mid-polarity capillary column with a 30 m length and 0.32 mm internal diameter is typically required.
Immersion testing in sealed cells at 25 °C and 50 °C for 7 days shows that EPDM and FFKM perfluoroelastomers exhibit less than 5% volume swell, while nitrile rubber exceeds 20% and natural rubber exceeds 30%. These values are taken from supplier technical bulletins and should be verified for the specific compound because plasticizer content in commercial elastomers can dominate swelling behaviour. Stainless steel grades 304 and 316 are acceptable for storage, but carbon steel is avoided in continuous service because any acid generation from thermal degradation can accelerate corrosion; published data for this specific configuration is limited. Container linings based on high-density polyethylene are used for short-term storage, but the low surface tension of the product allows permeation through thin polyethylene films over extended periods, so fluoropolymer-lined pails or stainless steel drums are used for retention beyond 30 days.
On a 300 L stainless steel ultrasonic cleaning line operating at 40 kHz and 12 W/L, the dominant field failure is not solvency loss but water accumulation in the rinse sump. Because the product has low water solubility, condensed atmospheric moisture separates as a lower phase in unsealed tanks; this water layer promotes corrosion under low-standoff components. The line is therefore equipped with a water separator and a molecular sieve dryer in the recirculation loop. In printed circuit board defluxing, the product is applied at 20–30 °C with spray pressure 0.7–1.0 MPa and contact time 20–60 s; ionic cleanliness is then assessed by resistivity of solvent extract according to IPC-TM-650 method 2.3.25. The low surface tension allows penetration under low-standoff components, but the equipment must be leak-tight and explosion-protected. Quantitative surface insulation resistance data for this exact molecule are limited compared with established fluorinated cleaning solvents; qualification trials should include the specific flux and board finish used in production.
Storage stability data from bulk handling indicate that the product remains within water specification for 12 months when stored under nitrogen in sealed stainless steel containers at 15–25 °C. Peroxide formation is observed when the product is exposed to air and ultraviolet light. Peroxide content is monitored by iodometric titration before any distillation or heating above 60 °C; a maximum peroxide concentration of 10 mg/kg is applied in one bulk handling procedure. Recovery by atmospheric distillation is possible because the normal boiling point is near 50 °C, but vacuum distillation at 30–35 °C under 50 kPa reduces thermal stress and peroxide accumulation. The recovered product is dried over 3A molecular sieves before return to the cleaning line. The material is incompatible with strong bases, alkali metals, and strong oxidizers; contact with these reagents can generate high heat and hazardous decomposition products, including hydrogen fluoride.
Regulatory classification is verified using the supplier safety data sheet. The product is not listed as an ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol because it contains no chlorine or bromine, but its vapour pressure exceeds 10 kPa at 20 °C, placing it within the scope of European Union volatile organic compound emission reporting under Directive 2010/75/EU for installations above solvent-use thresholds. Under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, importers and manufacturers above 1 tonne/year must maintain a registration dossier; downstream users should confirm that their use is covered by the exposure scenario in the safety data sheet annex. No harmonized occupational exposure limit has been established for this substance under EU or US federal frameworks; process exposure is managed by local ventilation, vapour monitoring, and periodic fugitive-emission inspection. The product is not intended for use as a medical inhalation agent, food-contact solvent, or consumer cleaner.
