Perfluorobutanoic acid

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Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) is a chemical in the perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid family. Its formula is C4HF7O2 and its molar mass is about 214.04 g/mol. PFBA is a colorless liquid that is fairly dense (about 1.64 g/mL), boils around 120°C, and dissolves well in water.

What it is and how it’s made
PFBA is the fully fluorinated version of butyric acid. It is made by electrofluorinating butyryl fluoride and then hydrolyzing the product.

What it’s used for
- PFBA is used as an ion-pair reagent in reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- It helps with sequencing, synthesis, and solubilizing proteins and peptides.
- Its esters tend to react, so PFBA helps generate specialized ligands for metal ions (for example, certain ligands used in research like Eufod).

History and production
PFBA was once used to manufacture photographic film. The 3M Company was a major producer, but production of PFBA and PFAS products has largely been phased out since 1998.

Environmental and health notes
PFBA can form as a breakdown product of other PFAS used in stain-resistant fabrics, paper packaging, carpets, and other consumer products. It has been found in U.S. rivers. In laboratory animals, high exposure can affect the thyroid and liver, alter hormones and cholesterol, and reduce red blood cells and hemoglobin. Developmental effects have also been noted in some studies. The Minnesota Department of Health has issued guidance valuing PFBA in drinking water at about 7 parts per billion (ppb).

Safety
PFBA is a strong acid and should be handled with proper safety precautions.