Use
Bromine pentafluoride an oxidizing agent. Is decomposed exothermically by water to hydrofluoric acid and other materials. Reacts with these other hydrogen-containing substances (among others) vigorously enough to cause a fire or explosion: acetic acid, ammonia, benzene, ethanol, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, methane, cork, grease paper, wax. Mixtures with acids, halogens, metal halides, metals, nonmetals, or metal oxides at ambient or slightly above ambient temperatures have resulted in violent reaction (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorine, iodine, ammonium chloride, potassium iodide, boron powder, selenium, tellurium, aluminum powder, bismuth, cobalt powder, iron powder, arsenic, nickel powder, chromium trioxide, charcoal, red phosphorus, sulfur dioxide, magnesium oxide. Solutions of acetonitrile and 9% Bromine pentafluoride have been found to decompose violently at ambient temperatures. Mixtures of perchloryl perchlorate and Bromine pentafluoride form shock sensitive explosives. [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 640].