CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE

Molecular Structure of Chlorine trifluoride (CAS NO. 7790-91-2):

EINECS: 232-230-4
Chemical Name: Chlorine trifluoride
Molecular Formula: ClF₃
XLogP3-AA: 2.5
H-Bond Donor: 0
H-Bond Acceptor: 3
InChI: InChI=1S/ClF3/c2-1(3)4
InChIKey: JOHWNGGYGAVMGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Density: 1.8 g/cm³
Molecular Weight: 92.448210 g/mol
Enthalpy of Vaporization: 27.53 kJ/mol
Boiling Point: 11.3 °C at 760 mmHg
Vapour Pressure: 1310 mmHg at 25 °C
Melting Point: -83 °C
Water Solubility: 7840 mg/L at 25 °C

  Chlorine trifluoride is mainly used to produce uranium hexafluoride :
                U + 3ClF₃ → UF₆ + 3ClF
  Before the start of World War II, Chlorine trifluoride under the code name of N-stoff was investigated for military applications by the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Nazi German. It was found to be an effective combined incendiary weapon and poison gas. Now, it is never used in war. Chlorine trifluoride has also been investigated as a high-performance storable oxidizer in rocket propellant systems due to its hypergolic properties with every known fuel even things like cloth, wood, and test engineers. Chlorine trifluoride is used in the semiconductor industry to clean chemical vapour deposition chambers without having to dismantle the chamber. It does not need to be activated by plasma as the heat of the chamber is enough to make it decompose and react with the semiconductor material.

  Chlorine trifluoride was prepared by fluorination of chlorine first reported by Ruff and Krug. The reaction also produces ClF, then the mixture was separated by distillation.
             3F₂ + Cl₂ → 2ClF₃

Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.

Safety Information of Chlorine trifluoride (CAS NO. 7790-91-2):
Hazard Codes: O 
Hazard Note: Oxidising agent
Risk Statements: 8-35
R8 :Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R35:Causes severe burns
Safety Statements: 17-38
S17:Keep away from combustible material
S38:In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment
RIDADR: 1749
HazardClass: 2.3
Human poison by inhalation. An eye irritant. See also FLUORIDES, CHLORINE, and FLUORINE. Spontaneously flammable. A powerful oxidant which may react violently with oxidizable materials. A rocket propellant.

Explosive reaction with water, bis(trifluoro methyl)sulfide or -disulfide, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, trifluoromethanesulfenyl chloride, and other hydrogen- containing materials (e.g., ammonia, coal gas, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, methane, acetic acid, benzene, ether, cotton, paper, wood). Forms shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with highly chlorinated compounds (e.g., carbon tetrachloride), nitroaryl compounds (e.g., trinitrotoluene, hexanitrobiphenyl, hexanitrodiphenyl amine, hexanitro diphenyl sulfide, hexanitrodiphenyl ether). Reaction with ammonium fluoride or ammonium hydrogen fluoride forms explosive gaseous products.

Ignition on contact with boron-containing materials, iodine, finely divided refractory materials (e.g., asbestos, glass wool, sand, tungsten carbide), fluorinated polymers (with flowing trifluoride).

Violent reaction with acids (e.g., nitric or sulfuric), chromium trioxide, ruthenium, selenium tetrafluoride (above 106°C), metals, metal oxides, metal salts, nonmetals, nonmetal salts, organic matter, glass wool, acetic acid, Al, Sb, As, Cu, Ir, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mo, Os, P, K, Rh, Se, Si, Ag, Na, S, Te, Sn, W, Zn, oxides, CO, graphite, HgI₂, HNO₃, K₂CO₃, KI, rubber, AgN₃, AgNO₃, NaOH, V₂P₅, WO₃. Incompatible with fuels, nitro compounds. When heated to decomposition or in reaction with water or steam it emits toxic fumes of F⁻ and Cl⁻.

OSHA PEL: CL 0.1 ppm
ACGIH TLV: CL 0.1 ppm
DFG MAK: 0.1 ppm (0.38 mg/m³)
DOT Classification:  2.3; Label: Poison Gas, Oxidizer, Corrosive

  Chlorine trifluoride with cas registry number of 7790-91-2 is also called for Chlorine fluoride ; Chlorine fluoride (ClF₃) ; Chlorine trifluoride (ClF₃) ; Chlorotrifluoride ; HSDB 970 ; Trifluorure de chlore ; Trifluorure de chlore [French] ; Chlorine trifluoride [UN1749] [Poison gas] ; UN1749 . It is A colorless gas or green liquid with a pungent odor. Pure Chlorine trifluoride is stable to 180° in glass vessels; above this temperature it decomposes by a free radical mechanism to the elements.