Antimony trifluoride
Encyclopedia
Antimony trifluoride is the inorganic compound
with the formula SbF3. Sometimes called Swart's reagent, is one of two principal fluoride
s of antimony
, the other being SbF5. It appears as a white solid. As well as some industrial applications, it is used as a reagent
in inorganic and organofluorine chemistry
.
and are linked by bridging
fluoride ligands. Three Sb-F bonds are short (192 pm) and three are long (261 pm). Because it is a polymeric, SbF3 is far less volatile than related compounds AsF3 and SbCl3.
SbF3 is prepared by treating antimony trioxide
with hydrogen fluoride
:
The compound is a mild Lewis acid, hydrolyzing slowly in water. With fluorine, it is oxidized to give antimony pentafluoride
.
. This application was reported by the Belgium chemist Frédéric Jean Edmond Swarts
in 1892, who demonstrated its usefulness for converting chloride compounds to fluoride
s. The method involved treatment with antimony trifluoride with chlorine
or with antimony pentachloride
to give the active species antimony trifluorodichloride (SbCl2F3). This compound can also be produced in bulk. The Swarts reaction is generally applied to the synthesis of organofluorine compounds, but experiments have been performed using silane
s. It was once used for the industrial production of freon. Other fluorine-containing Lewis acids serve as fluorinating agents in conjunction with hydrogen fluoride
.
SbF3 is used in dyeing and pottery
.
Inorganic compound
Inorganic compounds have traditionally been considered to be of inanimate, non-biological origin. In contrast, organic compounds have an explicit biological origin. However, over the past century, the classification of inorganic vs organic compounds has become less important to scientists,...
with the formula SbF3. Sometimes called Swart's reagent, is one of two principal fluoride
Fluoride
Fluoride is the anion F−, the reduced form of fluorine when as an ion and when bonded to another element. Both organofluorine compounds and inorganic fluorine containing compounds are called fluorides. Fluoride, like other halides, is a monovalent ion . Its compounds often have properties that are...
s of antimony
Antimony
Antimony is a toxic chemical element with the symbol Sb and an atomic number of 51. A lustrous grey metalloid, it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite...
, the other being SbF5. It appears as a white solid. As well as some industrial applications, it is used as a reagent
Reagent
A reagent is a "substance or compound that is added to a system in order to bring about a chemical reaction, or added to see if a reaction occurs." Although the terms reactant and reagent are often used interchangeably, a reactant is less specifically a "substance that is consumed in the course of...
in inorganic and organofluorine chemistry
Organofluorine chemistry
Organofluorine chemistry describes the chemistry of organofluorine compounds, organic compounds that contain the carbon–fluorine bond. Organofluorine compounds find diverse applications ranging from oil- and water-repellents to pharmaceuticals, refrigerants and reagents in catalysis...
.
Preparation and structure
In solid SbF3, the Sb centres have octahedral molecular geometryOctahedral molecular geometry
In chemistry, octahedral molecular geometry describes the shape of compounds where in six atoms or groups of atoms or ligands are symmetrically arranged around a central atom, defining the vertices of an octahedron...
and are linked by bridging
Bridging ligand
A bridging ligand is a ligand that connects two or more atoms, usually metal ions. The ligand may be atomic or polyatomic. Virtually all complex organic compounds can serve as bridging ligands, so the term is usually restricted to small ligands such as pseudohalides or to ligands that are...
fluoride ligands. Three Sb-F bonds are short (192 pm) and three are long (261 pm). Because it is a polymeric, SbF3 is far less volatile than related compounds AsF3 and SbCl3.
SbF3 is prepared by treating antimony trioxide
Antimony trioxide
Antimony trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula Sb2O3. It is the most important commercial compound of antimony. It is found in nature as the minerals valentinite and senarmontite...
with hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula HF. This colorless gas is the principal industrial source of fluorine, often in the aqueous form as hydrofluoric acid, and thus is the precursor to many important compounds including pharmaceuticals and polymers . HF is widely used in the...
:
- Sb2O3 + 6 HF → 2 SbF3 + 3 H2O
The compound is a mild Lewis acid, hydrolyzing slowly in water. With fluorine, it is oxidized to give antimony pentafluoride
Antimony pentafluoride
Antimony pentafluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula SbF5. This colourless, viscous liquid is a valuable Lewis acid and a component of the superacid fluoroantimonic acid, the strongest known acid...
.
- SbF3 + F2 → SbF5
Applications
It is used as a fluorination reagent in organic chemistryOrganic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
. This application was reported by the Belgium chemist Frédéric Jean Edmond Swarts
Frédéric Swarts
Frédéric Swarts was a Belgian chemist who prepared the first chlorofluorocarbon, CF2Cl2 as well as several other related compounds. He was a professor in the civil engineering at the University of Ghent...
in 1892, who demonstrated its usefulness for converting chloride compounds to fluoride
Fluoride
Fluoride is the anion F−, the reduced form of fluorine when as an ion and when bonded to another element. Both organofluorine compounds and inorganic fluorine containing compounds are called fluorides. Fluoride, like other halides, is a monovalent ion . Its compounds often have properties that are...
s. The method involved treatment with antimony trifluoride with chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
or with antimony pentachloride
Antimony pentachloride
Antimony pentachloride is a the chemical compound with the formula SbCl5. It is a colourless oil, but typical samples are yellowish due to impurities...
to give the active species antimony trifluorodichloride (SbCl2F3). This compound can also be produced in bulk. The Swarts reaction is generally applied to the synthesis of organofluorine compounds, but experiments have been performed using silane
Silane
Silane is a toxic, extremely flammable chemical compound with chemical formula SiH4. In 1857, the German chemists and Friedrich Woehler discovered silane among the products formed by the action of hydrochloric acid on aluminum silicide, which they had previously prepared...
s. It was once used for the industrial production of freon. Other fluorine-containing Lewis acids serve as fluorinating agents in conjunction with hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula HF. This colorless gas is the principal industrial source of fluorine, often in the aqueous form as hydrofluoric acid, and thus is the precursor to many important compounds including pharmaceuticals and polymers . HF is widely used in the...
.
SbF3 is used in dyeing and pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
.