| Identification | More | [Name]
Nitrogen trifluoride | [CAS]
7783-54-2 | [Synonyms]
Nitrogen fluoride
NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE
Trifluoramine
N,N,N-Trifluoroamine
NF3
Nitrogen fluoride (NF3)
nitrogenfluoride(nf3)
Perfluoroammonia
Stickstoff(III)-fluorid
Stickstofftrifluorid
Trifluoroamine
Trifluoroammonia
Nitrogen trifluoride 99%
Nitrogentrifluoride99%
NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE: 99.99%
Trifluorammonia | [EINECS(EC#)]
232-007-1 | [Molecular Formula]
F3N | [MDL Number]
MFCD00042549 | [Molecular Weight]
71 | [MOL File]
7783-54-2.mol |
| Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Description]
Nitrogen trifluoride is a colorless gas with little odor. Nitrogen trifluoride is an oxidizer that is thennodynamically stable except at elevated temperatures. At temperatures up to about 482°F (250°C), its reactivity is comparable to oxygen. At higher temperatures, its reactivity is similar to fluorine owing to appreciable dissociation into NF2 and F-. The thennal dissociation of nitrogen trifluoride has been studied by a number of investigators and has been found to peak in the temperature range of 1100K to 1500K. In handling nitrogen trifluoride, conditions should be avoided that can result in high temperatures such as adiabatic compression from the rapid pressurization of a system.
Nitrogen trifluoride acts primarily upon the elements as a fluorinating agent, but not a very active one at lower temperatures. At elevated temperatures, nitrogen trifluoride pyrolyzes with many of the elements to produce nitrogen tetrafluoride and the corresponding fluoride. The pyrolysis of nitrogen trifluoride over copper turnings produces nitrogen tetrafluoride in a 62 percent to 71 percent yield at 707°F (375°C). Pyrolysis over carbon is more complete. | [Appearance]
Nitrogen trifluoride is a colorless gas. Moldy
odor. Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas. | [Melting point ]
-207°C | [Boiling point ]
-129°C | [density ]
(liq at bp) 1.885 | [solubility ]
insoluble in H2O | [form ]
colorless gas | [pka]
-24.82±0.70(Predicted) | [color ]
colorless | [Odor]
characteristic mouldy odor | [Water Solubility ]
insoluble | [Uses]
Oxidizer for high-energy fuels, chemical synthesis. | [CAS DataBase Reference]
7783-54-2(CAS DataBase Reference) | [NIST Chemistry Reference]
Nitrogen trifluoride(7783-54-2) | [EPA Substance Registry System]
7783-54-2(EPA Substance) |
| Safety Data | Back Directory | [Hazard Codes ]
O | [Risk Statements ]
R8:Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R20:Harmful by inhalation. | [Safety Statements ]
S17:Keep away from combustible material .
S23:Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapor/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer) .
S38:In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment . | [RIDADR ]
2451 | [Hazard Note ]
Strong oxidising agent | [DOT Classification]
2.2 (Nonflammable gas) | [HazardClass ]
2.2 | [HS Code ]
28129011 | [Safety Profile]
A poison. Mildly toxic
by inhalation. Prolonged absorption may
cause mottling of teeth, skeletal changes.
Severe explosion hazard by chemical
reaction with reducing agents, particularly
when under pressure. A very dangerous fire
hazard; a very powerful oxidner; otherwise
inert at normal temperatures and pressures. | [Hazardous Substances Data]
7783-54-2(Hazardous Substances Data) | [IDLA]
1,000 ppm |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [General Description]
A colorless gas with a moldy odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Slightly soluble in water. Corrosive to tissue. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Used to make other chemicals and as a component of rocket fuels. | [Reactivity Profile]
NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE(7783-54-2) is a very powerful oxidizing agent. Presents dangerous fire hazard in the presence of reducing agents. Etches glass in the presence of moisture. Emits toxic and corrosive fumes of fluoride when heated to decomposition [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 937]. Can react violently with hydrogen, ammonia, carbon monoxide, diborane, hydrogen sulfide, methane, tetrafluorohydrazine, charcoal. Explosive reaction with chlorine dioxide. A severe explosion may occur when exposed to reducing agents under pressure [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1427]. | [Air & Water Reactions]
Slightly soluble in water. | [Hazard]
Severe explosion hazard. Corrosive to tissue. Methemoglobinemia, liver and kidney damage. | [Health Hazard]
Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases. | [Potential Exposure]
This material has been used in chemical
synthesis and as an oxidizer for high-energy fuels (as
an oxidizer in rocket propellant combinations). | [Fire Hazard]
Substance does not burn but will support combustion. Some may react explosively with fuels. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. | [First aid]
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including
resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical
attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. If
frostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately;
do NOT rub the affected areas or flush them with water. In
order to prevent further tissue damage, do NOT attempt to
remove frozen clothing from frostbitten areas. If frostbite
has NOT occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated
skin with soap and water. | [Shipping]
UN2451 Nitrogen trifluoride, Hazard Class: 2.2;
Labels: 2.2-Nonflammable compressed gas; 5.1-Oxidizer.
Cylinders must be transported in a secure upright position,
in a well-ventilated truck. Protect cylinder and labels from
physical damage. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder
is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to
transport and refill them. It is a violation of transportation
regulations to refill compressed gas cylinders without the
express written permission of the owner. | [Incompatibilities]
The gas is a powerful oxidizer. Presents
dangerous fire hazard in the presence of reducing agents. Etches glass in the presence of moisture. Reacts with
oil, grease, reducing agents and other oxidizable materials;
combustibles, organics, ammonia, carbon monoxide; methane,
hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide; activated charcoal; diborane,
water. Can react violently with hydrogen, ammonia,
carbon monoxide, diborane, hydrogen sulfide, methane, tetrafluorohydrazine,
charcoal. Nitrogen trifluoride will
increase intensity of an existing fire. | [Chemical Properties]
Nitrogen trifluoride is a colorless gas. Moldy
odor. Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas. | [Waste Disposal]
Return refillable compressed
gas cylinders to supplier. Vent into large volume of concentrated
reducing agent (bisulfites, ferrous salts or hypo)
solution, then neutralize and flush to sewer with large
volumes of water. | [Physical properties]
Colorless gas; moldy odor; liquefies at -128.75°C; density of liquid 3.116 g/mL; vapor pressure at -158°C 96 torr; solidifies at -206.8°C; critical temperature -39.15°C; critical pressure 44.02 atm; critical volume 126 cm3/mol; very slightly soluble in water. | [Definition]
ChEBI: Nitrogen trifluoride is a nitrogen halide. | [Preparation]
Nitrogen trifluoride is prepared by electrolysis of either molten ammonium fluoride, NH4F, or melted ammonium acid fluoride, NH4HF2 (or ammonium fluoride in anhydrous HF). While the NH4F method is preferred because it forms nitrogen trifluoride as the only product, electrolysis of ammonium acid fluoride yields a small amount of dinitrogen difluoride, N2F2,and NF3.
Also, nitrogen trifluoride can be prepared by reaction of ammonia with fluorine diluted with nitrogen in a reactor packed with copper. Other nitrogen fluorides, such as N2F2, N2F4, and NHF2 also are produced. The yield of major product depends on fluorine/ammonia ratio and other conditions. | [Production Methods]
Nitrogen trifluoride can be formed from a wide variety of chemical reactions. The commercial process for production involves direct fluorination of ammonia with fluorine gas in the presence ofammonium fluoride. | [Reactions]
Hydrogen reacts with nitrogen trifluoride with the rapid liberation of large amounts of heat and is the basis for the use of nitrogen trifluoride in high-energy chemical lasers. The flammability range for nitrogen trifluoride-hydrogen mixtures is 9.4 mole percent to 95 mole percent nitrogen trifluoride. Nitrogen trifluoride reacts with organic compounds, but generally an elevated temperature is required to initiate the reaction. Under these conditions, the reaction will often proceed explosively, and great care must be exercised when exposing nitrogen trifluoride to organic compounds. Therefore, nitrogen trifluoride has found little use as a fluorinating agent for organic compounds. | [Industrial uses]
Nitrogen trifluoride has been used successfully in large quantities as a fluorine source for high-energy chemical lasers. It is preferred over fluorine because of its comparative ease of handling at ambient conditions.
Recently, an increasing amount of nitrogen trifluoride is being used in the semiconductor industry as a dry etchant, showing significantly higher etch rates and selectivities when compared to carbon tetrafluoride and mixtures of carbon tetrafluoride and oxygen.
Nitrogen trifluoride was also used as an oxidizer in rocketry in the early 1960s, but this application was not commercialized. | [Materials Uses]
At temperatures less than 482°F (250°C), nitrogen trifluoride has a reactivity similar to that of
oxygen and is relatively inert to most materials
of construction. At ambient temperatures, brass,
aluminum, copper, steel, and stainless steels can
be used because corrosion rates of less than 0.1
mil/yr. at 160°F (71.1°C) have been determined
for these materials. Nitrogen trifluoride is also
compatible with fluorinated materials such as
Teflon at ambient temperatures.
At increased temperatures and pressures, nitrogen trifluoride's reactivity increases becoming more like that of fluorine, with nickel and
Monel being the preferred materials of construction. | [Physiological effects]
ACGIH recommends a Threshold Limit ValueTime-Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) of 10
ppm (29 mgim3) for nitrogen trifluoride. The
TLV- TWA is the time-weighted average concentration for a nonnal 8-hour workday and a
40-hour workweek, to which nearly all workers
may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effect.
OSHA lists an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average-Pennissible Exposure Limit (TWA-PEL)
of 10 ppm (29 mg/m3) for nitrogen trifluoride.
TWA-PEL is the exposure limit that shall not
be exceeded by the 8-hour TWAin any 8-hour
work shift of a 40-hour workweek.
The toxicity of nitrogen trifluoride is related
to its capacity to fonn methemoglobin, a modified fonn of hemoglobin incapable of oxygen
transport, and to destroy red blood cells
(hemolysis). Upon cessation of exposure, methemoglobin spontaneously reverts to hemoglobin. However, at high levels of exposure, therapeutic intervention may be necessary (oxygen,
methylene blue, exchange transfusion). The
occurrence of hemolysis requires careful monitoring for degree of anemia and the potential for
impaired kidney function.
Nitrogen trifluoride's TLV-TWA value of 10
ppm resulted from a study that exposed rats to
100 ppm for 7 hours per day, 5 days per week for 18 months. No changes were detected in the
animals' behaviors, heart or lung rates, blood
levels, or appearance of fluorosis. ACGIH set
the TLV-TWA at III 0 ofthe test level.
Gaseous nitrogen trifluoride is considered innocuous to the skin and a minor irritant to the
eyes and mucous membranes. | [storage]
Nitrogen trifluoride cylinders must be securely supported while in use to prevent movement and straining of connections. Full cylinders must be stored in a well-ventilated area, protected from excessive heat (125°F or 51.7°C), located away from organic or flammable materials, and secured. Valve protection caps and valve outlet caps must be securely in place at all times when the cylinder is not in use. | [Toxicity evaluation]
The toxicity of nitrogen trifluoride is related to its capacity to fonn methemoglobin, a modified fonn of hemoglobin incapable of oxygen transport, and to destroy red blood cells (hemolysis). Upon cessation of exposure, methemoglobin spontaneously reverts to hemoglobin. However, at high levels of exposure, therapeutic intervention may be necessary (oxygen, methylene blue, exchange transfusion). The occurrence of hemolysis requires careful monitoring for degree of anemia and the potential for impaired kidney function. | [GRADES AVAILABLE]
Nitrogen trifluoride is available in grades ranging from 98 percent to 99.995 percent v/v
minimum purity. |
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