In spite of its small enthalpy of formation (ΔfH° = −5.2 kcal/mol (−22 kJ/mol)), it is kinetically stable, decomposing only at 400 °C.[3]: 380 It is quite reactive towards reducing agents and anions, however, with the chlorine atom acting as an electrophile.[3]: 382 It reacts explosively with reducing agents such as metal amides, metals, hydrides, etc.[7] Its hydrolysis in water occurs very slowly, unlike that of chloryl fluoride.
ClO 3F reacts with alcohols to produce alkyl perchlorates, which are extremely shock-sensitive explosives.[9] In the presence of a Lewis acid, it can be used for introducing the –ClO 3 group into aromatic rings via electrophilic aromatic substitution.[10]
Applications
Perchloryl fluoride is used in organic chemistry as a mild fluorinating agent.[3]: 383 It was the first industrially relevant electrophilic fluorinating agent, used since the 1960s for producing fluorinated steroids.[9] In the presence of aluminum trichloride, it has also been used as an electrophilic perchlorylation reagent for aromatic compounds.[11]
Perchloryl fluoride is toxic, with a TLV of 3 ppm.[15] It is a strong lung- and eye-irritant capable of producing burns on exposed skin. Its IDLH level is 100 ppm.[16] Symptoms of exposure include dizziness, headaches, syncope, and cyanosis. Exposure to toxic levels causes severe respiratory tract inflammation and pulmonary edema.[12]
^Budavari, Susan, ed. (1989). "7297. Perchloryl Fluoride". The Merck Index — Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck. p. 1231. IA147021.
^ abPeer Kirsch (2004). Modern fluoroorganic chemistry: synthesis, reactivity, applications. Wiley-VCH. p. 74. ISBN3-527-30691-9.
^Peter Bernard David De la Mare (1976). Electrophilic halogenation: reaction pathways involving attack by electrophilic halogens on unsaturated compounds. CUP Archive. p. 63. ISBN0-521-29014-7.
^Inman, C. E.; Oesterling, R. E.; Tyczkowski, E. A. (1958-10-01). "Reactions of Perchloryl Fluoride with Organic Compounds. I. Perchlorylation of Aromatic Compounds1". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 80 (19): 5286–5288. doi:10.1021/ja01552a069. ISSN0002-7863.
^ abJohn Burke Sullivan; Gary R. Krieger (2001). Clinical environmental health and toxic exposures (2nd ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 969. ISBN0-683-08027-X.