Definition
ChEBI: Acetyl fluoride is an acyl fluoride that is fluoroethane carrying an oxo group at position 1. It is an acyl fluoride and an organofluorine compound.
Preparation
Acetyl fluoride (but not other acyl fluorides) is most conveniently prepared by addition of Acetyl Chloride to a solution of Potassium Fluoride in AcOH; reaction is immediate. Warming the solution and condensing the gas gives nearly quantitiative yields. Procedures applicable to the preparation of a variety of acyl fluorides include reaction of the acid chloride or anhydride with nucleophilic fluorides and fluorination of the carboxylic acid.
Safety Profile
Poison by inhalation. See also FLUORIDES. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F-.
storage
Samples of acetyl fluoride sealed in glass ampoules slowly form a pyrylium salt.4 Acetyl fluoride is a corrosive lachrymator. Use in a fume hood.
Purification Methods
Purify acetyl fluoride by fractional distillation. It attacks glass and is sold in steel cylinders. [Beilstein 2 H 172, 2 I 79, 2 II 175, 2 III 385, 2 IV 393.] TOXIC and LACHRYMATORY.
