Cobalt(III) fluoride
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| Names | |
|---|---|
|  Other names
 Cobalt trifluoride Cobaltic fluoride Cobalt fluoride Cobaltic trifluoride  | |
| Identifiers | |
|  10026-18-3  | |
| 3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image | 
| ChemSpider |  59593  | 
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.030.045 | 
| EC Number | 233-062-4 | 
| PubChem | 66208 | 
| UNII |  O3R680UKNX  | 
 
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| Properties | |
| CoF3 | |
| Molar mass | 115.928 g/mol | 
| Appearance | brown powder | 
| Density | 3.88 g/cm3 | 
| Melting point | 92 °C (198 °F; 365 K) | 
| reacts | |
| Structure | |
| hexagonal | |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 | |
| Related compounds | |
|   Other anions  | 
cobalt(III) oxide, cobalt(III) chloride | 
|   Other cations  | 
iron(III) fluoride, rhodium(III) fluoride | 
|   Related compounds  | 
cobalt(II) fluoride | 
|   Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).  | |
|   | |
| Infobox references | |
Cobalt(III) fluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula CoF3. This highly reactive, hygroscopic brown solid is used to synthesize organofluorine compounds.[1] CoF3 is a powerful fluorinating agent that leaves CoF2 as the byproduct.
Preparation
CoF3 is prepared in the laboratory by treating CoCl2 with fluorine at 250 °C:[2]
- CoCl2 + 3/2 F2 → CoF3 + Cl2
 
This conversion is a redox reaction: Co2+ and Cl− are oxidized to Co3+ and Cl2, respectively, while F2 is reduced to F−. Cobalt(II) oxide (CoO) and cobalt(II) fluoride (CoF2) can also be converted to cobalt(III) fluoride using fluorine.
Reactions
CoF3 decomposes upon contact with water to give oxygen:
- 4 CoF3 + 2 H2O → 4 HF + 4 CoF2 + O2
 
CoF3 is hygroscopic, forming a dihydrate (CAS#54496-71-8). It reacts with fluoride sources to give the anion [CoF6]3−, which is a rare example of a high-spin, octahedral cobalt(III) complex.
Applications
Used as slurry, CoF3 converts hydrocarbons to the perfluorocarbons:
- 2CoF3 + R-H → 2CoF2 + R-F + HF
 
Such reactions are sometimes accompanied by rearrangements or other reactions.[1] The related reagent KCoF4 is more selective.[3]
References
- 1 2 Coe, P. L. "Cobalt(III) Fluoride" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (Ed: L. Paquette) 2004, J. Wiley & Sons, New York. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rc185.
 - ↑ Priest, H. F. "Anhydrous Metal Fluorides" Inorganic Syntheses McGraw-Hill: New York, 1950; Vol. 3, pages 171-183. doi:10.1002/9780470132340.ch47
 - ↑ Coe, P. L. "Potassium Tetrafluorocobaltate(III)" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (Ed: L. Paquette) 2004, J. Wiley & Sons, New York. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rp251.
 
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cobalt(III) fluoride. | 
- National Pollutant Inventory - Cobalt fact sheet
 - National Pollutant Inventory - Fluoride and compounds fact sheet
 
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