Substance profile
Perfluorooctanoic acid
Perfluorooctanoic acid is a white to off-white powder.
01 · Identification
What Perfluorooctanoic acid is
Perfluorooctanoic acid is a white to off-white powder. Its molecular formula is C8HF15O2 and its molecular weight is 414.07 g/mol. It boils at 192 °C, melts at 54.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H360D | May damage the unborn child. |
| H362 | May cause harm to breast-fed children. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P305, P308, P310, P312, P313, P314, P330, P338
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Perfluorooctanoic acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 192 °C (377.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 189 °C (372.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 189 °C (372.2 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | 54.3 °C (129.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 53 °C (127.4 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Density | 1.79 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.792 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | In water, 4340 mg/L at 24.1 °C | at 24.1 °C | HSDB |
| In water, 3300 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| When heated to decomposition it emits toxic vapors of F(-). | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.15 mmHg | at 20 °C | DOE PAC |
| 0.0316 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.15 mmHg | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Perfluorooctanoic acid
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Bases, Oxidizing agents, Reducing agents
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Perfluorooctanoic acid in the storage compatibility matrix →