Title: Chlorine Trifluoride
CAS Registry Number: 7790-91-2
Molecular Formula: ClF3
Molecular Weight: 92.45
Percent Composition: Cl 38.35%, F 61.65%
Literature References: Prepd from F2 and Cl2 or ClF. May be purified by distillation in suitable steel apparatus: Ruff, Krug, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 190, 270 (1930); Grisard et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 73, 5724 (1951); Kwasnik in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1963) p 156. Reviews: Kemmitt, Sharp, Adv. Fluorine Chem. 4, 240-241 (1965); Stein, "Physical and Chemical Properties of Halogen Fluorides" in Halogen Chemistry vol. 1, V. Gutmann, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 1967) pp 133-224; Meinert, Z. Chem. 7, 41-57 (1967).
Properties: Corrosive, colorless gas. Somewhat sweet, suffocating odor. mp -76.34°. bp 11.75°. Extremely reactive. Glass wool and organic matter burst into flames on contact even with dil vapors. Violently hydrolyzed by water. Attacks quartz if traces of moisture are present. Liquid is yellow-green in color and solid is white.
Melting point: mp -76.34°
Boiling point: bp 11.75°
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure to liquid or high vapor concentrations are eye and skin burns; respiratory irritation. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 60.
Use: Fluorinating agent; in nuclear reactor fuel processing; incendiary; igniter and propellant for rockets; pyrolysis inhibitor for fluorocarbon polymers. |