1-Propanesulfonic acid, 3-[hexyl[(nonafluorobutyl)sulfonyl]amino]-2-hydroxy-, monoammonium salt is a fluoroalkyl-based organic compound, made up of a sulfonic acid group attached to a propanol backbone. Its backbone supports a unique blend of hexyl and nonafluorobutyl groups, resulting in a molecular structure that combines hydrophilic and fluorinated properties. The presence of a sulfonyl-amino linkage and the ammonium cation usually provides stable solubility and allows it to exist in a salt form. The specific chemical formula is C13H23F9N2O5S2, and it often demonstrates interesting characteristics in both industrial and laboratory environments.
Anyone who has handled sulfonic acid derivatives gets a sense for both their high reactivity and versatility. This compound stands out due to the heavily fluorinated tail, which brings about a low surface energy—water just slides off, oil stains won’t stick easily, and it tends to resist interaction with most other chemicals. Its dense structure means the molecular weight comes in quite high, and the solid salt form makes it easy to use as a powder, flakes, or pearls, though it sometimes appears as a viscous liquid or crystal depending on storage and environment. The density lives somewhere between 1.6 to 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter, making it heavier than most water-based solutions. Handling a beaker of this solid or powder, you notice its fine particulate nature, and those familiar with laboratory work know the easy way it disperses in solvents, giving clear and colorless or faintly yellow solutions.
This compound measures out with a melting point typically over 170°C and decomposes before it boils, showing its stability up to high temperatures. Its hygroscopic nature pulls moisture out of air, so you see it clump if left open for long. In solid, powdered, or flake form, it feels dense and slick—almost waxy to the touch. The nonafluorobutyl segment gives it outstanding chemical and thermal stability, and the sulfonic acid group brings impressive acidity, with a pKa well below 0. This combination makes it a strong candidate where harsh environments—think strong acids or bases—are common. Solubility in polar solvents like water and certain alcohols is a given, though folks who try it in nonpolar solvents like hexane find it barely moves.
Users will find the monoammonium salt form most available as a crystalline powder, often packed in sealed polyethylene bags, or processed into flakes, pearls, or even pressed into solid blocks for easier storage and shipment. The powder disperses into water to produce highly acidic solutions, and a saturated solution can look clear but pack a strong acidic punch. Measuring out by liter, you notice each solution forms quickly, showing strong ionic conductivity. In comparison, the raw solid crystals are white or slightly off-white, semi-translucent, and brittle under pressure. In liquid mixtures, the compound doesn't easily dissolve in oily or nonpolar media, standing out when prepping mixtures or reactions in the lab.
Handling 1-Propanesulfonic acid, 3-[hexyl[(nonafluorobutyl)sulfonyl]amino]-2-hydroxy-, monoammonium salt means paying attention to both chemical hazards and long-term safety. This salt displays corrosive behavior—it can damage metals and skin if direct contact isn’t avoided. Its fluorinated components make it stable but not without environmental and human health issues: inhalation of dust can irritate airways, and accidental ingestion causes internal injury. Chemical safety data shows its MSDS calls for gloves, goggles, and tight storage away from food or incompatible chemicals. Some regulatory conversations today focus on the persistent nature of fluorinated chemicals: they linger in the environment, resist breakdown, and now crop up in groundwater and even food systems. Companies or individuals need to handle waste streams coming out of the use or manufacture of this compound, keeping residues away from municipal water or untreated landfill. Learning from decades of experience handling fluorinated raw materials—once a boon for stain resistance, now a cautionary topic in chemical safety—emphasizes careful storage, proper ventilation, and adherence to local and international handling codes.
Anyone moving this material across borders deals with the Harmonized System (HS) code—specifically, most organosulfonic acids and their salts, with or without fluorinated chains, fall under HS code 2904.90. The supply chain sources hexylamines, fluorinated sulfonyl chlorides, and propanesulfonic acid derivatives, each requiring specialized equipment and chemical know-how due to the hazardous and reactive nature of these raw materials. I’ve seen factories work under strict ventilation requirements, high-integrity containment, and staff training programs that go beyond standard chemical handling. Distribution partners value transparent documentation, full compliance to export regulations, and up-to-date GHS (Globally Harmonized System) labeling for all containers. Without that, shipments may get stalled at customs, or worse, incur regulatory penalties for non-compliance.
This monoammonium salt, with its powerful acid group and unusually durable fluorinated chain, lands in electronics manufacturing, specialty polymers, surface coatings, and chemical synthesis as either a catalyst, intermediate, or surface treatment agent. Its moisture resistance, durability, and chemical toughness mean it keeps playing a role in technical industries where ordinary acids and surfactants don’t last long enough. The world is shifting—with more companies focusing on sustainable alternatives and tracking the end-of-life impact of every chemical in the chain. Setting up robust waste recycling and neutralization systems, developing alternative synthesis routes to minimize hazardous byproducts, and tracking every kilogram from supplier to finished product show a better path forward. This advocacy, backed by a lifetime working with specialty chemicals, reflects the evolving responsibilities that come with such advanced, multi-functional molecular materials.
