Chlorine trifluoride facts for kids
Chlorine trifluoride is a special chemical compound. Its chemical formula is ClF3. This means it has one chlorine atom and three fluorine atoms. It's a very reactive substance.
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What is Chlorine Trifluoride Like?
Chlorine trifluoride is usually a clear gas. But if you squeeze it, it turns into a light yellow liquid. It's often sold in this liquid form. This chemical is part of a group called interhalogens. These are compounds made of two different halogen elements.
Chlorine trifluoride is super reactive. It can even burn things that don't usually catch fire! For example, it can burn plastics, sand, and even metals. It's a much stronger oxidizing agent than oxygen. This means it can make things burn that oxygen normally can't, like concrete or sand. When it touches water, it reacts very strongly. This reaction creates dangerous acids like hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. It can even make glass catch fire after a short time.
How is it Made?
Chlorine trifluoride is made by mixing chlorine gas with fluorine gas. During this process, other chlorine fluorides can form. These extra chemicals then need to be removed to get pure chlorine trifluoride.
What is it Used For?
One use for chlorine trifluoride is in making uranium hexafluoride. This happens when it reacts with uranium metal. Scientists also once thought about using it as a rocket propellant. It was also considered for other purposes. However, it's very hard to make and store safely. Today, chlorine trifluoride is used to clean areas where semiconductors are made. Semiconductors are important parts in computers and electronics.
Is it Safe?
Chlorine trifluoride is extremely toxic and dangerous. It is known as one of the most hazardous chemicals. It can make many things catch fire, even materials that usually don't burn. This includes things like asbestos, concrete, and glass. Fires started by chlorine trifluoride are very hard to put out. It reacts with almost everything it touches.
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See also
In Spanish: Trifluoruro de cloro para niños
