Nitrosyl fluoride

Nitrosyl fluoride
Skeletal formula of nitrosyl fluoride with measurements
Skeletal formula of nitrosyl fluoride with measurements
Ball and stick model of nitrosyl fluoride
Ball and stick model of nitrosyl fluoride
Names
IUPAC name
Nitrosyl fluoride[citation needed]
Other names
Nitrogen oxyfluoride[citation needed]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
Abbreviations NOF[citation needed]
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.230 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 232-153-6
UNII
  • InChI=1S/FNO/c1-2-3 checkY
    Key: ZEIYBPGWHWECHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • FN=O
Properties
NOF
Molar mass 49.0045 g mol−1
Appearance Colourless gas
Density 2.657 mg mL−1(gas) 1.326 g/cm3(liquid)
Melting point −166 °C (−267 °F; 107 K)
Boiling point −72.4 °C (−98.3 °F; 200.8 K)
Reacts
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Nitrosyl fluoride (NOF) is a covalently bonded nitrosyl compound.

Physical properties

The compound is a colorless gas, with bent molecular shape.[1] The VSEPR model explains this geometry via a lone-pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom.

Chemistry

Nitrosyl fluoride is typically produced by direct reaction of nitric oxide and fluorine, although halogenation with a perfluorinated metal salt is also possible. The compound is a highly reactive fluorinating agent that converts many metals to their fluorides, releasing nitric oxide in the process:

n NOF + M → MFn + n NO

For this reason, aqueous NOF solutions are, like aqua regia, powerful solvents for metals.[1]

Absent an oxidizable metal, NOF reacts with water to form nitrous acid, which then disproportionates to nitric acid:

NOF + H2O → HNO2 + HF
3 HNO2 → HNO3 + 2 NO + H2O

These reactions occur in both acidic and basic solutions.[1]

Nitrosyl fluoride also forms salt-like adducts with Lewis-acidic fluorides; for example, BF3 reacts to give NOBF4. Similarly, the compound nitrosylates compounds with a free proton; thus alcohols convert to nitrites:[1]

ROH + NOF → RONO + HF

Uses

Nitrosyl fluoride is used as a solvent and as a fluorinating and nitrating[dubious – discuss] agent in organic synthesis.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1984). Chemistry of the Elements. Oxford: Pergamon Press. p. 507. ISBN 978-0-08-022057-4.