Boron trifluoride dihydrate

Chemical Properties

colourless liquid

Chemical Properties

Boron trifluoride is a nonflammable, colorless gas. Pungent, suffocating odor. Forms dense white fumes in moist air. Shipped as a nonliquefied compressed gas.

Uses

Boron trifluoride dihydrate can be used as:

• An activator in Pechmann condensation to synthesize 4-methylcoumarin derivatives by the reaction between substituted phenols and methyl acetoacetate.
• An initiator for the polymerization of benzoxazine.
• A catalyst in the regioselective Fries rearrangement of phenolic esters to give hydroxyphenyl alkyl/aryl ketones.
• A catalyst to prepare 8-hydroxymethyltricyclene acetate by the reaction between camphene and formaldehyde in the presence of methylene chloride-acetic anhydride solvent.

General Description

Boron trifluoride dihydrate is a fuming liquid. Boron trifluoride dihydrate may be corrosive to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Boron trifluoride dihydrate may be toxic by inhalation. Boron trifluoride dihydrate is used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Air & Water Reactions

In moist air forms dense white fumes pungent, corrosive to skin, avoid inhalation [Merck 11th ed. 1989].

Reactivity Profile

BORON TRIFLUORIDE is a colorless, strongly irritating, liquid. Upon contact with water, steam or when heated to decomposition, Boron trifluoride dihydrate will produce toxic fluoride fumes. Incompatible with alkyl nitrates, calcium oxide. Reaction with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals (except magnesium) will cause incandescence [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 65].

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.

reaction suitability

core: boron
reagent type: Lewis acid
reagent type: catalyst

Potential Exposure

Boron trifluoride is a highly reactive chemical used primarily as a catalyst in chemical synthesis. It is stored and transported as a gas, but can be reacted with a variety of materials to form both liquid and solid compounds. The magnesium industry utilizes the fireretardant and antioxidant properties of boron trifluoride in casing and heat treating. Nuclear applications of boron trifluoride include neutron detector instruments; boron-10 enrichment and the production of neutroabsorbing salts for molten-salt breeder reactors.

Shipping

UN1008 Boron trifluoride, Hazard class: 2.3; Labels: 2.3—Poisonous gas, 8—Corrosive material, Inhalation Hazard Zone B. 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.

Incompatibilities

Boron trifluoride reacts with polymerized unsaturated compounds. Decomposes on contact with water, moist air, and other forms of moisture, forming toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride, fluoroboric acid, and boric acid. Reacts violently with alkali and alkaline earth metals (except magnesium); metals, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium oxide, and with alkyl nitrates. Attacks many metals in presence of water.

Waste Disposal

Return refillable compressed gas cylinders to supplier. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to transport and refill them. Chemical reaction with water to form boric acid, and fluoroboric acid. The fluoroboric acid is reacted with limestone, forming boric acid and calcium fluoride. The boric acid may be discharged into a sanitary sewer system while the calcium fluoride may be recovered or landfilled. Protect cylinder and labels from physical damage.