1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol
[CAS 920-66-1]

Identification

• Classification: Chemical reagent >> Organic reagent >> Fatty alcohol
• Name: 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol
• Synonyms: 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropanol; HFIP; 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro propan-2-ol
• Molecular Formula: C₃H₂F₆O
• Molecular Weight: 168.04
• CAS Registry Number: 920-66-1
• EC Number: 213-059-4
• SMILES: C(C(F)(F)F)(C(F)(F)F)O

Properties

• Density: 1.5±0.1 g/cm³ Calc.^*, 1.596 g/mL (Expl.)
• Melting point: -4 °C (Expl.)
• Boiling point: 59.0 °C 760 mmHg (Calc.)^*, 59 °C (Expl.)
• Flash point: -2.0±25.9 °C (Calc.)^*, 4.4 °C (Expl.)
• Solubility: water: 1000 g/L (25 °C) (Expl.)
• Index of refraction: 1.269 (Calc.)^*, 1.275 (Expl.)

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS07;GHS08 Danger
• Risk Statements: H302-H312-H314-H318-H332-H335-H361-H373
• Safety Statements: P203-P260-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P280-P301+P317-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P354+P338-P316-P317-P318-P319-P321-P330-P362+P364-P363-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1B	H314
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	2	H373
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1C	H314
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361d
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1A	H314
Substances or mixtures corrosive to metals	Met. Corr.	1	H290
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	2	H225
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1	H314
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	3	H226

• Transport Information: UN 2922

chemBlink Chemical Story

1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol, commonly HFIP, is a fluorinated alcohol whose six fluorine atoms radically alter the behavior expected from an ordinary secondary alcohol. Two trifluoromethyl groups strongly withdraw electron density, making the O-H proton unusually acidic for an alcohol and giving HFIP exceptional hydrogen-bond-donor ability. It is also weakly nucleophilic and can dissolve an unusual range of organic materials, including some polymers and peptides. These properties make HFIP valuable in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, polymer processing, and peptide or protein studies. It can stabilize ions and hydrogen-bond to substrates without acting like a strongly nucleophilic protic solvent. Its volatility and fluorinated character require suitable ventilation and chemical-safety controls.

Exact registry identity matters because free forms, salts, stereoisomers, hydrates, intermediates, and final products may have different CAS numbers even when names are closely related. Those distinctions can change molecular weight, solubility, crystallinity, analytical standards, and interpretation of published data. A reliable database therefore follows the exact substance rather than automatically transferring properties from a related form.

Functional groups provide a map of intended reactivity. Alcohols, amines, halides, esters, alkenes, and heteroaromatic rings offer different opportunities for bond formation, while the surrounding framework controls shape, electronics, and solubility. In multistep synthesis, a useful intermediate often succeeds because one position can be changed selectively while another remains available for a later operation.

Modern chemical development depends on characterization as well as synthesis. Identity, purity, stereochemistry, salt or water content, and process-related impurities may all require control. Well-characterized intermediates and reference materials remain important even when they never become final commercial products because reproducible chemistry depends on knowing exactly which substance is present.

A responsible Chemical Story distinguishes documented application from structural possibility. A familiar scaffold can suggest hypotheses, but resemblance alone does not establish a biological target, approved indication, or industrial adoption. When exact-CAS literature is limited, verified chemistry and clearly documented applications are more useful than speculation.

Practical behavior emerges from the complete molecular and material system. Structure, physical form, reaction conditions, manufacturing route, and surrounding environment can all affect performance. Connecting these details to a documented synthetic, industrial, analytical, or biological role is what turns a registry entry into a meaningful chemical story.

Exact registry identity matters because free forms, salts, stereoisomers, hydrates, intermediates, and final products may have different CAS numbers even when names are closely related. Those distinctions can change molecular weight, solubility, crystallinity, analytical standards, and interpretation of published data. A reliable database therefore follows the exact substance rather than automatically transferring properties from a related form.

Functional groups provide a map of intended reactivity. Alcohols, amines, halides, esters, alkenes, and heteroaromatic rings offer different opportunities for bond formation, while the surrounding framework controls shape, electronics, and solubility. In multistep synthesis, a useful intermediate often succeeds because one position can be changed selectively while another remains available for a later operation.

Modern chemical development depends on characterization as well as synthesis. Identity, purity, stereochemistry, salt or water content, and process-related impurities may all require control. Well-characterized intermediates and reference materials remain important even when they never become final commercial products because reproducible chemistry depends on knowing exactly which substance is present.

A responsible Chemical Story distinguishes documented application from structural possibility. A familiar scaffold can suggest hypotheses, but resemblance alone does not establish a biological target, approved indication, or industrial adoption. When exact-CAS literature is limited, verified chemistry and clearly documented applications are more useful than speculation.

References:
1. PubChem. Hexafluoro-2-propanol, CID 13529.
2. Colomer I et al. Hexafluoroisopropanol as a highly versatile solvent. Nat Rev Chem. 2017;1:0088.

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