Bromine trifluoride

Bromine trifluoride (BrF3) is an interhalogen compound with the formula BrF3. It appears as a straw-colored liquid at room temperature with a pungent odor and decomposes violently upon contact with water and organic compounds. This potent fluorinating agent is used in nuclear fuel processing to produce uranium hexafluoride (UF6).

First synthesized by Paul Lebeau in 1906, BrF3 is produced through the reaction of bromine (Br2) with fluorine (F2) at 20°C or via the disproportionation of bromine monofluoride (BrF). Structurally, BrF3 adopts a T-shaped geometry similar to ClF3 and IF3. The bromine atom has two lone electron pairs, contributing to bond lengths of 1.81 Å for axial fluorines and 1.72 Å for equatorial ones, with an angle of approximately 86.2° due to electron repulsion.

Chemically reactive, BrF3 violently reacts with water to produce hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydrofluoric acid (HF), and oxygen (O2). Though a strong fluorinating agent, it is less reactive than ClF3. At -196°C, it reacts with acetonitrile to form 1,1,1-trifluoroethane. BrF3 autoionizes into BrF+2 and BrF−4 ions in its conductive liquid state. It dissolves fluoride salts, forming tetrafluorobromate (e.g., KBrF4) and acts as a fluoride donor in reactions with SbF5.