196 CARBONYL FLUORIDE

cyanosis. Inhalation of this gas at 100 ppm concentration in the air for 30 minutes may be fatal to humans. (Patnaik, P. 1999. A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons.)

CARBONYL FLUORIDE

[353–50–4]

Formula: COF2; MW 66.01

Synonyms: carbon oxyfluoride; carbonyl difluoride; fluoroformyl fluoride; fluorophosgene

Uses

No commercial application of this compound is known.

Physical Properties

Colorless gas; pungent odor; hygroscopic; unstable; liquid density 1.139 g/mL (at –114°C); liquefies at –83.1°C; solidifies at –114°C; decomposes in water.

Thermochemical Properties

∆Hƒ°	–151.7 kcal/mol
∆Gƒ°	–148.0 kcal/mol
S°	61.78 cal/degree mol
Cρ	11.19 cal/degree mol

Preparation

Carbonyl fluoride is prepared by the reaction of carbon monoxide with fluorine gas or silver fluoride:

CO + F2 → COF2

Also, it may be produced by the action of carbon monoxide with bromine trifluoride, BrF3.

Analysis

Elemental composition: C 18.19%, F 57.57%, O 24.24%. Carbonyl fluoride may be analyzed by FTIR, GC or GC/MS. For the GC analysis, it may be transported with the carrier gas helium from the reaction vessel into a cryogenically cooled injector port, then thermally desorbed and analysed by FID. The system should be free of moisture. The characteristic ions for mass spectroscopic identification are 66, 26, and 40.

Toxicity

Carbonyl fluoride is a strong irritant to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Contact with skin can cause irritation. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of this gas is lethal.