Nitrogen trifluoride

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Nitrogen trifluoride
Nitrogen trifluoride Nitrogen trifluoride
General
Systematic name Nitrogen trifluoride
Other names Nitrogen fluoride
Trifluoramine
Trifluorammonia
Molecular formula NF3
Molar mass 71.0019 g/mol
Appearance colorless gas
CAS number [7783-54-2]
Properties
Density and phase 3.003 kg/m3 (1.013 bar and 15 °C) gas
1540 kg/m3 (1.013 bar at boiling point) liquid
Solubility in water 0.021 vol/vol (20 °C and 1 bar)
Melting point −206.8 °C (66.35 K)
Boiling point −129.1 °C (144.05 K) (1.013 bar)
Basicity (pKb)  ?
Structure
Molecular shape pyramidal
Dipole moment 0.234D
Bond angle 102.3°
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
EU classification not listed
NFPA 704

0
2
0
OX
Flash point non-flammable
Toxicity 10 ppm
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Nitrogen trifluoride, NF3, a binary compound of nitrogen and fluorine, is a colorless, toxic, nonflammable, corrosive gas shipped in cylinders at high pressure. It has a characteristic moldy odor. It is a pulmonary irritant with toxicity comparable with nitrogen oxides. It may damage liver and kidneys. It is slightly soluble in water without undergoing chemical reaction.

Nitrogen trifluoride is used in the plasma and thermal cleaning of CVD reactors. It is also used as a source of fluorine radicals for plasma etching of eg. polysilicon, silicon nitride, tungsten silicide, and tungsten, in which application it can replace perfluorocarbons (eg. hexafluoroethane) and sulfur hexafluoride, resulting in both ecological advantage and higher process efficiency. It is compatible with the metals steel and Monel(TM), and several plastics. It is a potent oxidizer, used to oxidize some high-energy fuels, preparation of tetrafluorohydrazine, and to fluorinate fluorocarbon olefins.

Nitrogen trifluoride is also used as a fuel for hydrogen fluoride and deuterium fluoride lasers, types of chemical lasers.

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