Superfluorinated peroxides surprise with stability

Fluorinated peroxides more stable than their non-fluorinated counterparts

For the first time, chemists have been able to study the crystal structures for some perfluorinated organic peroxides – molecules that are usually highly unstable and even explosive. Despite the wealth of fluorine atoms in these compounds, the peroxides proved stable to impact and friction, making them useful oxidation-resistant solvents for reactions such as halogenations.