polyfluoroalkyl

noun

poly·​fluo·​ro·​al·​kyl ˌpä-lē-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈal-kəl 

-ˌflu̇r-

plural polyfluoroalkyls

: any of a group of synthetic chemicals that are composed of linearly connected carbon atoms with fluorine atoms attached to some but not all available binding sites and that are used as components of PFAS

In April, the companies agreed to pay the sum over allegations that contamination stemming from the paper mill's landfill resulted in perfluoroalkyls and polyfluoroalkyls … entering the water supply.

—Morgan Conley

—often used before another noun

… silicas with chemically bonded polyfluoroalkyl groups …

—K. B. Gurevich et al.

compare perfluoroalkyl

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polyfluoroalkyl

• per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
• perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances