Fluorine Compounds, Inorganic, Halogens

Abstract

There are eight known halogen fluorides, binary compounds of fluorine with chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The halogen fluorides are highly reactive, powerful oxidizing agents that exist as noncryogenic liquids, offering a storable liquid source of fluorine at low pressure. Properties are described. Chlorine trifluoride, bromine trifluoride, and iodine pentafluoride are available commercially. Chlorine trifluoride is used in the processing of nuclear fuels, bromine trifluoride as a chemical cutting agent for oil well pipe and tubing, and iodine pentafluoride as a fluorinating agent for organic compounds.

[Br4F21]− – a unique molecular tetrahedral interhalogen ion containing a μ4-bridging fluorine atom surrounded by BrF5 molecules

“…BrF 3 , BrF 5 , and ClF 3 are hypergolic oxidizers that may react vigorously, sometimes explosively, with many organic and inorganic substrates and materials if conditions are not controlled very carefully. 1,2 If non-oxidizable starting materials are used, such violent reactions are not to be expected, the respective halogen uoride is not decomposed and may act as a ligand. Towards Lewis acids, such as BF 3 , AsF 5 or SbF 5 , the halogen uorides can act as uoride ion donors, forming the corresponding uoridohalonium cations, 3,4 whereas towards Lewis basic compounds, such as the alkali metal uorides, many halogen uorides can act as a uoride ion acceptors, forming uoridohalogenate anions.…”