Nitrosyl fluoride

Reactions

NOF is a highly reactive fluorinating agent that converts many metals to their fluorides, releasing nitric oxide in the process:

n NOF + M → MF_n + n NO

NOF also fluorinates fluorides to form adducts that have a salt-like character, such as NOBF₄.

Aqueous solutions of NOF are powerful solvents for metals, by a mechanism similar to that seen in aqua regia. Nitrosyl fluoride reacts with water to form nitrous acid, which then forms nitric acid:

NOF + H₂O → HNO₂ + HF3 HNO₂ → HNO₃ + 2 NO + H₂O

Nitrosyl fluoride can also convert alcohols to nitrites:

ROH + NOF → RONO + HF

It has a bent molecular shape.

Uses

Nitrosyl fluoride is used as a solvent and as a fluorinating and nitrating agent in organic synthesis. It has also been proposed as an oxidizer in rocket propellants.