perfluoroalkyl

noun

per·​fluo·​ro·​al·​kyl pər-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈal-kəl 

-ˌflu̇r-

plural perfluoroalkyls

: any of a group of synthetic chemicals that are composed of linearly connected carbon atoms with fluorine atoms attached at all available binding sites, that have the chemical structure C_nF_2n+1 , and that are a component of PFAS

—often used before another noun

The effect of the perfluoroalkyl chain on the monolayer formation was studied at the air-water interface.

—Jin Mu et al.

compare polyfluoroalkyl

Word History

Etymology

per- + fluoroalkyl "alkyl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been substituted for fluorine" (from fluoro- + alkyl entry 2)

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing perfluoroalkyl

• perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances