Title: Tantalum Pentafluoride
CAS Registry Number: 7783-71-3
Molecular Formula: F5Ta
Molecular Weight: 275.94
Percent Composition: F 34.42%, Ta 65.58%
Line Formula: TaF5
Literature References: Prepd from tantalum pentachloride by the halide exchange method according to the equation TaCl5 +5HF ? TaF5 + 5HCl: Ruff, Zedner,
Ber. 42, 492 (1909); Ruff, Schiller,
Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 72, 329 (1911); Kwasnik in
Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry vol. 1, G. Brauer, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed, 1963) pp 255-256. Prepn from the elements: Fairbrother, Frith,
J. Chem. Soc. 1951, 3051. Review of transition metal pentafluorides: Peacock,
Adv. Fluorine Chem. 7, 113-145 (1973).
Properties: Deliquescent, strongly refractive prisms. d20 4.74. mp 96.8°. Also reported as 95.1°: Fairbrother, Frith,
loc. cit. bp 229.5°. Sol in water and ether with formation of oxyfluoro complexes. Also sol in concd nitric acid, more sol in fuming nitric acid. Sparingly sol in hot carbon disulfide and hot carbon tetrachloride. Etches glass slowly.
Melting point: mp 96.8°. Also reported as 95.1°
Boiling point: bp 229.5°
Density: d20 4.74
Use: Friedel-Crafts catalyst.