Fluorine energy decomposition

This compound was found, on investigation of an explosion in a syringe during transfer, to have a decomposition energy equivalent to that of commercial explosives. Slow decomposition, even at room temperature, becomes explosive above 100°C. Shock sensitive. Stable as hydrocarbon solution below 25% concentration. Recommended that this and related compounds be handled only in such solution. See FLUORINATED ORGANOLITHIUM COMPOUND... 

The interaction of fluorine with an organic compound liberates a quantity of energy which is frequently of the order of magnitude of, or greater than, the energy which binds the carbon atoms in chains. It is estimated 63 that the addition of fluorine to a double bond liberates ldS calories per mole, whereas chlorine liberates only 30 calories. Careful control qf the temperature throughout the reacting masses is therefore essential. Even in the most favorable cases, much decomposition occurs and carbon tetrafluoride is frequently the main reaction product.62-6 ... 

The respective decomposition enthalpies are dependent on the amount of hydrogen substituted by fluorine in the range 25-65 kj (mol H2) compared to 78 kj (mol H2) or, after taking zero-point energy corrections into account, 13-59 kJ (mol H2) compared to 61 kJ (mol H2) for the pure LiBH4. 

One of the best-known thermal reactions of fluorine compounds is the pyrolysis of chlorodifluoromethane to tetrafluoroethylene as used in the production of Teflon polymer. This reaction was described by Park et in 1947, and Nor-ton" in 1957 reported an activation energy of 49 kcal.mole for the decomposition over silica at 425-525 °C. More recently, Gozzo and Patrick have made a kinetic study of the process using a helium flow system at 670-750 °C with a surface conditioned platinum tubular reactor. HCl is found to retard the raction and the following mechanism has been proposed... 

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