Identification of a Volatile Constituent formed by Homogenates of Acacia georginae exposed to Fluoride

Abstract

WE reported¹ that some homogenates of Acacia georginae and of other plants can convert added inorganic fluoride to a volatile compound, which is lost after alkaline combustion. We found examples in which the total fluoride estimated by acid diffusion after combustion was less than the fluoride estimated by acid diffusion without combustion. The first hypothesis which we examined was that vinyl fluoride (CH₂ = CH₂.F) was formed. Some evidence (although not decisive) was obtained for this by gas chromatography using a column of ‘Poropak S’. We then explored the possibility that a volatile fluoroketone might be formed. Monofluoroacetone has been found in the livers of rats perfused with fluoroacetate², and we record here evidence which suggests its presence as one of the volatile fluorine-containing constituents of the A. georginae homogenates.