This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I program will investigate the use of germanium tetrafluoride (GeF4) as an agent to fluorinate organic molecules. Preliminary experiments show that GeF4 possesses unique fluorinating properties as a direct fluorinating agent or in indirect use as a component of a catalyst system. The fluorinating ability of GeF4 can be employed, for example, in the manufacture of specialty chemicals, fluorocarbons from chlorinated intermediates, and fluorinated coatings for a variety of surfaces.
When the full potential of GeF4 as a fluorinating agent is realized industries will gain significant economic benefits and an environmentally more benign fluorination process.
