Potassium difluoroacetate
[CAS# 6291-26-5]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Carboxylic compounds and derivatives >> Halogenation, sulfonation, nitration or nitrosation of carboxylic acids
• Name: Potassium difluoroacetate
• Molecular Formula: C₂HF₂O₂^.K
• Molecular Weight: 134.12
• CAS Registry Number: 6291-26-5
• SMILES: C(C(=O)[O-])(F)F.[K+]

Discovory and Applicatios

Potassium difluoroacetate is a fluorinated salt with the molecular formula C₂FKO₂. It is the potassium salt of difluoroacetic acid and belongs to the class of organofluorine compounds that have been explored for their unique chemical and biological properties. The presence of two fluorine atoms attached to the alpha carbon of the acetate moiety imparts strong electron-withdrawing effects, which stabilize the carboxylate anion and influence the reactivity of the compound. Potassium difluoroacetate typically appears as a white crystalline solid and is soluble in water and polar organic solvents.

The main application of potassium difluoroacetate is as a fluorinated intermediate in organic synthesis. It serves as a source of the difluoroacetyl group or difluoromethyl anion equivalents, which can be introduced into nucleophilic substrates to form esters, amides, and other functionalized compounds. The salt is stable and easy to handle compared with the corresponding acid or anhydride, making it a convenient reagent for laboratory-scale reactions and industrial processes. Its reactivity is particularly useful in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals that require fluorinated motifs.

In pharmaceutical chemistry, potassium difluoroacetate is used to synthesize difluoromethylated intermediates for drug development. Incorporation of the difluoromethyl group can improve metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and bioavailability of target molecules. The compound has been employed in the synthesis of enzyme inhibitors, antiviral agents, and other bioactive molecules where selective fluorination enhances chemical robustness and biological performance. The potassium salt form allows reactions under mild conditions, facilitating selective functionalization without affecting sensitive functional groups in complex molecules.

In agrochemical research, potassium difluoroacetate is applied as an intermediate in the preparation of fluorinated herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. The difluoromethyl group increases chemical and thermal stability, biological activity, and environmental persistence. Its use allows efficient incorporation of fluorinated motifs into precursor molecules, streamlining the synthesis of active compounds and intermediates for crop protection applications.

Potassium difluoroacetate is also used in materials science and specialty chemical synthesis. Fluorinated intermediates derived from this salt are employed to introduce difluoromethyl groups into polymers, resins, and coatings, enhancing hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. The salt’s solubility and stability facilitate selective reactions and incorporation into complex molecular architectures, making it a versatile reagent for advanced functional materials.

The discovery and continued use of potassium difluoroacetate demonstrate its importance as a versatile fluorinated reagent. Its combination of chemical stability, reactivity, and electron-withdrawing properties makes it a valuable intermediate in modern organic synthesis, supporting applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science. The compound exemplifies how selective fluorination in simple salts can enhance chemical utility and functional versatility in research and industrial processes.

References

2024. Fluoroalkylation based on fluorine-containing carboxylates by photoelectrocatalysis. Publication Number: CN-118461041-A.

2023. Process technology for preparing fluorine-containing sulfinate by directly vulcanizing fluorine-containing carboxylic acid potassium salt by utilizing micro-channel reaction device. Publication Number: CN-117326989-A.

2018. Fluorine-containing phenanthridine derivatives and preparation methods thereof. Publication Number: CN-105348194-B.