Uranium tetrafluoride
Uranium tetrafluoride Basic information
- Product Name:
- Uranium tetrafluoride
- Synonyms:
-
- Uranium tetrafluoride
- Uranium(IV) fluoride.
- Uran(IV) tetrafluoride
- Uranium fluoride(UF4)
- CAS:
- 10049-14-6
- MF:
- F4U
- MW:
- 314.02
- EINECS:
- 233-170-1
- Mol File:
- 10049-14-6.mol
Uranium tetrafluoride Chemical Properties
- Melting point:
- >1100°
- Boiling point:
- 1446.94°C (estimate)
- Density
- 6.700
- solubility
- soluble in concentrated acid solutions, alkaline solutions
- form
- green monoclinic crystals
- color
- green monoclinic crystals, crystalline
- Water Solubility
- insoluble H2O; soluble conc acids, alkalies, but decomposes [MER06]
- EPA Substance Registry System
- Uranium tetrafluoride (10049-14-6)
Uranium tetrafluoride Usage And Synthesis
Description
Uranium tetrafluoride, with the molecular formula of UF4, is a green, nonvolatile, crystalline powder that is insoluble in water. It is highly corrosive and is also a radioactive poison.
Chemical Properties
Green, nonvolatile, crystalline powder. Insoluble in water.
Uses
Intermediate in preparation of uranium metal. See uranium hexafluoride.
Preparation
Dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12) is passed through a Hg pressure release valve, a bubble counter and aPsO5 tube into a glass or quartz reaction tube (diameter 2.5 cm, length 40 cm.) The reaction tube is inserted into a short electric furnace which can be heated to a temperature of 400℃. Powdered UO3 is placed in the reaction tube between glass-wool plugs. The escaping gases are led to the hood.
At the beginning, dry oxygen is passed through the apparatus for one hour, while the furnace is heated to 400℃. The oxygen flow is then replaced with CF2Cl2, which is introduced at a rate of one liter per hour. The reaction starts as soon as the temperature reaches 400°C. The progress of the reaction can be followed as the color of the product changes to green.
On completion of the reaction, the product is cooled in a stream of CF2Cl2; very pure UF4 is obtained. The yield is almost quantitative.
Hazard
Highly corrosive, radioactive poison.