The molecular and crystal structures of the title compound, C8H4F5NO, were examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The title compound was synthesized by a new method at the interface of aqueous solutions of LiOH and pentafluorophenylacetonitrile. In the crystal, hydrogen bonds and π-halogen interactions connect the molecules into double layers. Analysis of the Hirshfeld surface showed that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are made by F⋯F (30.4%), C⋯F/F⋯C (22.9%), O⋯H/H⋯O (14.9%), H⋯F/F⋯H (14.0%) and H⋯H (10.2%) contacts. The Hirshfeld surfaces of analogues of the title compound were compared and the effect of perfluorination on the crystal packing was shown. © 2022