7783-54-2 Usage
Description
Nitrogen trifluoride is a colorless gas with a moldy odor, which is very toxic by inhalation and slightly soluble in water. It is an oxidizer that is thermodynamically stable except at elevated temperatures and is used to make other chemicals and as a component of rocket fuels.
Uses
Used in Electronics Industry:
Nitrogen trifluoride is used as an etchant and chamber cleaning agent for the global electronics industry. It is preferred due to its efficiency, ease, and safety of handling, as well as its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Used in Semiconductor Manufacturing:
Nitrogen trifluoride is used as a dry etchant in the semiconductor industry, showing significantly higher etch rates and selectivities when compared to carbon tetrafluoride and mixtures of carbon tetrafluoride and oxygen.
Used in Thin Film Solar Cells and Flat-Panel Displays:
Nitrogen trifluoride is used to clean process chambers in the manufacturing of thin film solar cells and flat-panel displays. It removes residue from the chamber walls, allowing for efficient operation and high-quality device production.
Used in High-Energy Chemical Lasers:
Nitrogen trifluoride has been used successfully in large quantities as a fluorine source for high-energy chemical lasers. It is preferred over fluorine due to its comparative ease of handling at ambient conditions.
Used in Rocketry (Historic):
Nitrogen trifluoride was used as an oxidizer in rocketry in the early 1960s, but this application was not commercialized.
Industrial 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 increased temperatures and pressures, its reactivity increases, becoming more like that of fluorine, with nickel and Monel being the preferred materials of construction.
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.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Nitrogen trifluoride 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].
Hazard
Severe explosion hazard. Corrosive to tissue. Methemoglobinemia, liver and kidney damage.
Health Hazard
Inhaling nitrogen trifluoride can reduce the capacity of red blood cells to carry oxygen. This causes cyanosis, or a bluish discoloration of the skin. Breathing nitrogen trifluoride can also lead to headache, dizziness, weakness and confusion. After prolonged exposure to high concentrations, breakdown of red blood cells and changes in the liver, kidneys, spleen and heart muscle may occur as secondary effects. In fresh air, the initial red blood cell changes will clear over several hours, but the person should still be monitored for secondary effects.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GRADES AVAILABLE
Nitrogen trifluoride is available in grades ranging from 98 percent to 99.995 percent v/v
minimum purity.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 7783-54-2 includes 7 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 4 digits, 7,7,8 and 3 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 5 and 4 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 7783-54:
(6*7)+(5*7)+(4*8)+(3*3)+(2*5)+(1*4)=132
132 % 10 = 2
So 7783-54-2 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/F3N/c1-4(2)3
7783-54-2Relevant articles and documents
NF3 synthesis using ClF3 as a mediator
Miyazaki, Tatsuo,Mori, Isamu,Umezaki, Tomonori,Yonezawa, Susumu
, p. 55 - 61 (2019)
Synthesis of NF3 using NH4F/nHF and F2 with ClF3, NF2Cl, and NFCl2 intermediates was conducted by sequential reaction testing for more than 100 h. Results demonstrated that NF3 can be synthesized with yield of more than 90% - fluorine molecule base. The ClF3 produced as a by-product can be recycled for reaction with NH4F/nHF. Improving the yield necessitates ClF3 recovery rate improvement, but characteristics of using ClF + F2 = ClF3 as an equilibrium reaction can be overcome with a two-step reaction. NH4F/nHF can be recycled continuously by controlling the n value in NH4F/nHF through NH3 addition and HF extraction. Using ClF3 as a mediator and NH3 and F2 as raw materials, NF3 synthesis was achieved at atmospheric pressure.
Preparation of a nickel-nickel oxide composite by hot isostatic pressing and its application for anodes used in electrolytic production of nitrogen trifluoride
Tasaka, Akimasa,Suzuki, Yasuhiro,Oshida, Atsushi,Mimoto, Atsuhisa,Hieda, Taro,Tachikawa, Toshiyasu,Takao, Kazuchika,Takemura, Hideaki,Yamaguchi, Osamu
, p. D108-D116 (2003)
The nickel-nickel oxide [Ni-NiO1+x (0 a mixture of Ni and LiNiO2 or NiO powders at 900°C under 2000 atm for 2 h by hot isostatic pressing were employed as the anode for electrolytic production of NF3. In electrolysis of a molten NH4F·2HF with and without LiF at 100°C and at 25 mA/cm2, the anode gas generated at the Ni-NiO1+x composite anode was composed of N2, O2, NF3, N2F2, N2F4, and N2O, and its composition was composition was almost the same as that at the Ni sheet anode. The current efficiency for NF3 formation on the Ni-NiO composite anode from mixture of NiO and Ni powders was high compared with that on the Ni-NiO1+x composite anode from the mixture of LiNiO2 and Ni powders. The best current efficiency for NF3 formation was ca. 53% on the Ni 5 mol% NiO composite anode, and it was almost the same as that of the Ni sheet anode. The addition of LiF in a molten NH4F·2HF increased it, presumably because of deposition of Li2NiF6 on the anode. On the other hand, the anode consumption of the Ni-NiO composite was much smaller compared with that of the Ni sheet electrode. Also, the oxygen content in the oxidized layer formed on the Ni-NiO composite anode was high compared with that on the Ni sheet anode. The scanning electron microscope observation revealed that the surface of the Ni-NiO composite anode was covered with the compact film having some defects. From these results, it is concluded that the Ni-NiO composite anode is favorable for electrolytic production of NF3, and that the oxidized layer on the anode has a high resistance to corrosion, because of the compact film containing a higher content of oxygen formed on the anode.
Electrolytic production of NF3 with a LiNiO2 coated nickel sheet anode prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying technique
Tasaka,Suzuki,Sakaguchi,Fukuda,Tojo
, p. 4349 - 4358 (2001)
A nickel sheet coated with LiNiO2 powder having average particle sizes of 40 and 50 μm in diameter by atmospheric plasma spraying technique was employed as the anode for electrolytic production of NF3. In electrolysis of a molten NH4F·2HF at 100°C and 25 mA cm-2, the anode gas generated at the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode was composed of N2, O2, NF3, N2F2, N2F4, and N2O, and its composition was almost the same as that at the Ni sheet anode. The current efficiency for the NF3 formation on the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode was increased to reach the constant value of ca. 55% during electrolysis for 100 h, and it was almost the same as that on the Ni sheet anode. The anode consumption of the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet was small compared with that of the Ni sheet. Also, the oxygen content in the oxidized layer formed on the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode was high compared with that on the Ni sheet anode, and the surface of the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode was covered with a compact and adhesive film having some defects. Although the bottom of the hollow was covered with a thinner layer, no pore penetrated through the oxidized layer. Hence, the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode is favorable for the electrolytic production of NF3, and the oxidized layer on the LiNiO2 coated Ni sheet anode has the higher resistance to corrosion, because of the compact and adhesive film containing the higher content of oxygen formed on the anode.
Dinitrogen difluoride chemistry. Improved syntheses of cis- and trans-N2F2, Synthesis and characterization of N 2F+Sn2F9-, ordered crystal structure of N2F+Sb2F11 -, High-level electronic structure calculations of cis-N 2F2
Christe, Karl O.,Dixon, David A.,Grant, Daniel J.,Haiges, Ralf,Tham, Fook S.,Vij, Ashwani,Vij, Vandana,Wang, Tsang-Hsiu,Wilson, William W.
, p. 6823 - 6833 (2010/09/06)
N2F+ salts are important precursors in the synthesis of N5+ compounds, and better methods are reported for their larger scale production. A new, marginally stable N2F + salt, N2F+Sn2F9 -, was prepared and characterized. An ordered crystal structure was obtained for N2F+Sb2F11-, resulting in the first observation of individual N - N and N-F bond distances for N2F+ in the solid phase. The observed N - N and N-F bond distances of 1.089(9) and 1.257(8) A, respectively, are among the shortest experimentally observed N-N and N-F bonds. High-level electronic structure calculations at the CCSD(T) level with correlation-consistent basis sets extrapolated to the complete basis limit show that cis-N2F 2 is more stable than trans-N2F2 by 1.4 kcal/mol at 298 K. The calculations also demonstrate that the lowest uncatalyzed pathway for the trans-cis isomerization of N2F2 has a barrier of 60 kcal/mol and involves rotation about the N - N double bond. This barrier is substantially higher than the energy required for the dissociation of N2F2 to N2 and 2 F. Therefore, some of the N2F2 dissociates before undergoing an uncatalyzed isomerization, with some of the dissociation products probably catalyzing the isomerization. Furthermore, it is shown that the trans-cis isomerization of N2F2 is catalyzed by strong Lewis acids, involves a planar transition state of symmetry Cs, and yields a 9:1 equilibrium mixture of cis-N2F2 and trans-N2F2. Explanations are given for the increased reactivity of cis-N2F 2 with Lewis acids and the exclusive formation of cis-N 2F2 in the reaction of N2F+ with F-. The geometry and vibrational frequencies of the F2N - N isomer have also been calculated and imply strong contributions from ionic N2F+ F- resonance structures, similar to those in F3NO and FNO.