Chlorine pentafluoride
Chlorine pentafluoride is an interhalogen compound with formula ClF5. This colourless gas is a strong oxidant that was once a candidate oxidizer for rockets. The molecule adopts a square pyramidal structure with C4v symmetry, as confirmed by its high-resolution 19F NMR spectrum.Preparation
Some of the earliest research on the preparation was classified. It was first prepared by fluorination of chlorine trifluoride at high temperatures and high pressures:
NiF2 catalyzes this reaction.
Certain metal fluorides, MClF4, react with F2 to produce ClF5 and the corresponding alkali metal fluoride.Reactions
In a highly exothermic reaction, ClF5 reacts with water to produce chloryl fluoride and hydrogen fluoride:
It is also a strong fluorinating agent. At room temperature it reacts readily with all elements except noble gases, nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine.
