Owing to its hazards, boron trifluoride gas is never isolated in nature, but is produced industrially from various BF3-containing precursors. There are two main production routes:
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Fluorination of Boron Oxides – Boron oxide reacts with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride at 250-500°C to replace oxygen with fluorine. Various boron oxide starting materials can be used.
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Acidification of Boron Trifluoride Complexes – Metal fluoroborates are acidified to liberate pure BF3 gas. The fluoroborates themselves come from fluoride mineral sources.
In both cases, the crude boron trifluoride gas released is further purified by fractional distillation and chemisorption to remove impurities like silicon tetrafluoride and sulfur dioxide. The purified BF3 is then condensed and stored as a liquid before being vaporized and piped to point of use.
Global BF3 production capacity totals several thousand tons annually. Demand is driven by organofluorine chemistry, catalyst needs, and electronics applications like etching. Strict protocols are required when handling the compressed liquid BF3.
Post time: Nov-01-2023