Oxygen fluoride

Chemical compounds of oxygen and fluorine

Oxygen fluorides are a group of compounds consisting of oxygen and fluorine. These compounds are notable for their reactivity and are used in various chemical applications. The most common oxygen fluorides are oxygen difluoride (OF₂), dioxygen difluoride (O₂F₂), and trioxygen difluoride (O₃F₂).

Oxygen Difluoride

Oxygen difluoride structure

Oxygen difluoride (OF₂) is a chemical compound with a bent molecular geometry. It is a pale yellow gas at room temperature and is known for its strong oxidizing properties. Oxygen difluoride is used in various industrial applications, including as an oxidizer in rocket propellants.

Properties

Oxygen difluoride is a highly reactive compound. It reacts with water to form hydrogen fluoride and oxygen. The compound is also known to react with many metals and nonmetals, often forming fluorides and oxides.

Preparation

Oxygen difluoride can be prepared by the reaction of fluorine with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide:

2 F₂ + 2 NaOH → OF₂ + 2 NaF + H₂O

Dioxygen Difluoride

Dioxygen difluoride 3D model

Dioxygen difluoride (O₂F₂) is a compound with a very unusual structure and extreme reactivity. It is a reddish-orange solid at low temperatures and decomposes explosively at temperatures above −160 °C.

Properties

Dioxygen difluoride is known for its ability to oxidize almost any material, including noble gases like xenon. It is one of the most powerful oxidizing agents known.

Preparation

Dioxygen difluoride is typically prepared by the reaction of fluorine with oxygen at low temperatures:

O₂ + F₂ → O₂F₂

Trioxygen Difluoride

Trioxygen difluoride structure

Trioxygen difluoride (O₃F₂) is a less common oxygen fluoride. It is a powerful oxidizing agent and is used in specialized chemical syntheses.

Properties

Trioxygen difluoride is a highly reactive compound, capable of oxidizing a wide range of substances. It is less stable than oxygen difluoride and is typically handled with care in controlled environments.

Preparation

The preparation of trioxygen difluoride involves the reaction of ozone with fluorine under controlled conditions:

O₃ + F₂ → O₃F₂

Related Pages

• Fluorine
• Oxygen
• Oxidizing agent
• Hydrogen fluoride