Pentafluoropropane

1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane is a hydrofluorocarbon is a colorless gas used primarily for closed-cell spray foam insulation. HFC-245fa is also known as pentafluoropropane and by its chemical name 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.

Environmental Effects

Unlike CFC and HCFC blowing agents formerly used for this purpose, it has no ozone depletion potential and is nearly non-toxic. Although it is intended to remain trapped within the foam insulation, it is practically non-biodegradable with a lifetime of 7.2 years when it eventually does escape into the atmosphere. It does have a high global warming potential of 950. Honeywell refers to this as "acceptable" in their literature, but they don't include the actual number.

Economics

One of the disadvantages of R-245fa is its cost. In 2000, R-141b cost one US dollar per pound, whereas R-245fa cost $2.50 to $4.00 per pound. As of 2007, and prior to Sinochem's production it was already a high volume production chemical, with over 1 million pounds produced annually.
R-245a can be used as a feedstock for producing HFO-1234ze.

Manufacturing history

Pentafluoropropane is produced by Honeywell and in Asia by Sinochem. Honeywell markets HFC-245fa under the Enovate and Genetron 245fa brand names. AlliedSignal, who adopted the Honeywell name after acquiring it, decided in 1999 to provide a non ozone depleting blowing agent as an alternative for dichlorofluoroethane and trichlorofluoromethane. Competitors Atofina and General Electric pursued strategies using other agents.