Harman Patil (Editor)

Bromine pentafluoride

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Appearance
  
Pale yellow liquid

Molar mass
  
174.894 g/mol

Density
  
2.47 g/cm³

Formula
  
BrF5

Boiling point
  
40.25 °C

Bromine pentafluoride Bromine pentafluoride Wikipedia

Thermodynamicdata
  
Phase behavioursolid–liquid–gas

Bromine pentafluoride brf5 lewis dot structure


Bromine pentafluoride, BrF5, is an interhalogen compound and a fluoride of bromine. It is a strong fluorination reagent.

Contents

BrF5 finds use in oxygen isotope analysis. Laser ablation of solid silicates in the presence of bromine pentafluoride releases O2 for subsequent analysis. It has also been tested as an oxidizer in liquid rocket propellants and is used as a fluorinating agent in the processing of uranium.

Bromine pentafluoride FileBrominepentafluoride3Dballspng Wikimedia Commons

Vsepr theory bromine pentafluoride brf5 expanded valence


Preparation

Bromine pentafluoride FileBrominepentafluoridefromxtal3Dballspng Wikimedia Commons

Bromine pentafluoride was first prepared in 1931 by the direct reaction of bromine with fluorine. This reaction is suitable for the preparation of large quantities, and is carried out at temperatures over 150 °C (302 °F) with an excess of fluorine:

Br2 + 5 F2 → 2 BrF5

For the preparation of smaller amounts, potassium bromide is used:

KBr + 3 F2 → KF + BrF5

This route yields bromine pentafluoride almost completely free of trifluorides and other impurities.

Reactions

Bromine pentafluoride peopleuwplattedusundinimagesvsprbrf5gif

Bromine pentafluoride reacts explosively with water, but when moderated by dilution with acetonitrile, it will form bromic acid and hydrofluoric acid, simple hydrolysis products:

BrF5 + 3 H2O → HBrO3 + 5 HF

It is an extremely effective fluorinating agent, converting most uranium compounds to the hexafluoride at room temperature.

Hazards

Bromine pentafluoride is severely corrosive to the skin, and its vapors are irritating to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Exposure to 100 ppm for a few minutes is lethal to most experimental animals. Chronic exposure may cause nephrosis and hepatosis.

It may spontaneously ignite or explode upon contact with organic materials or metals in powdered form.

References

Bromine pentafluoride Wikipedia