Gallium(III) fluoride

Gallium(III) fluoride (GaF₃) is a chemical compound. It is a white solid that melts under pressure above 1000 °C but sublimes around 950 °C. It has the FeF₃ structure where the gallium atoms are 6-coordinate. GaF₃ can be prepared by reacting F₂ or HF with Ga₂O₃ or by thermal decomposition of (NH₄)₃GaF₆. GaF₃ is virtually insoluble in water. Solutions of GaF₃ in HF can be evaporated to form the trihydrate, GaF₃·3H₂O, which on heating gives a hydrated form of GaF₂(OH). Gallium(III) fluoride reacts with mineral acids to form hydrofluoric acid.