Fluorine nitrates

Moissan [48] observed that explosions took place when fluorine was introduced into concentrated nitric acid. Afterwards it was found that more dilute nitric add, e.g. 4N HNOj, reacts with fluorine to form an explosive product. The reaction product was isolated by Cady [49] who has also determined that both the chemical composition and the molecular weight of the product are well in Kne with the formula N03—F. 

Fluorine nitrate, under normal conditions, is a colourless gas with an irritant smell that is condensed at a temperature of about —42°C. It combines with potassium iodide and with potassium hydroxide as shown in the equations  

According to Yost and Beerbower [50] fluorine nitrate explodes when heated within the temperature limits of 200 and 300°C. Sometimes the liquid or solid substance explodes without any obvious cause. 

Naoiim [51] proposed the use of methylamine nitrate as an ingredient of fusible explosives. During World War II it was employed in Germany, under the name Man-Salz as one of components of a fusible explosive blend used for filling missiles, along with sodium nitrate and cyclonite. 

Methylamine nitrate was obtained by treating methylamine with concentrated nitric acid (66%). The explosive strength of methylamine nitrate exceeds that of TNT. Its hygroscopidty, which is even higher than that of ammonium nitrate, is a disadvantage. 

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Fluorine, however, gives the substance fluorine nitrate , NO3F HNO3 -p Fj - NO3F -p HF... 

Nitrogen Trioxyfluoride (Fluorine Nitrate, Pernitiyl Fluoride). N03F, mw 81.01, N 17.29%, F 23.45% colorl, irritating gas bp about —42°. SI sol in w, from which it liberates oxygen... 

Fig. 1.—Radial distribution curves for methyl azide, methyl nitrate, and fluorine nitrate.

Fluorine Nitrate.—Fluorine nitrate, N03F, was first prepared by G. H. Cady in 1934 by bubbling fluorine through dilute nitric add. At the suggestion of Professor W. A. Noyes, we undertook the electron diffraction investigation of the vapor in order to determine where the fluorine atom is attached and what effect it has on the nature of the bonds in the NOj group. Professor... 

The molecular models upon which the theoretical intensity curves of Fig. 4 are based have. been chosen to distinguish between the three most probable configurations of fluorine nitrate. The... 

We wish to thank Dr. G. H. Cady for lending us his apparatus, Professor Don M. Yost and Mr. A. Beerbower for preparing the fluorine nitrate used in this work, Mr. K. S. Palmer for assisting in the preparation of the electron diffraction photographs, and Dr. Sidney Weinbaum and Mrs. M. Lassettre for assisting in their interpretation. 

The investigation of methyl azide, methyl nitrate, and fluorine nitrate by electron diffraction is shown to lead to configurations of the molecules corresponding in each case to resonance between two important valence-bond structures. The unimportance of a third otherwise reasonable structure for these molecules as well as for nitrous oxide is ascribed to instability due to the presence of electric charges of the same sign on adjacent atoms. It is shown that the differ-... 

Chromyl chloride Organic solvents Dioxygen difluoride Various materials Fluorine nitrate Organic materials... 

Fluorine nitrate Organic materials Fluorine Nitrogenous bases... 

Fluorine reacts with sulfuric acid to yield fluorosulfuric acid, HFSO3, and with nitric acid it forms fluorine nitrate, NO3F, an explosive gas. 

Fluorine nitrate is used in rocket propellants as an oxidizing agent. 

Fluorine nitrate may be prepared by the action of fluorine on nitric acid F2 + HNO3 FNO3 + HF... 

Fluorine nitrate is shock sensitive, especially in liquid state. The liquefied material explodes when shaken vigorously or in contact with alcohol, ether, andine, or grease (Bretherick s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, 5th. Ed., P. Urhen (ed.) 1995, pp 1405-6, Oxford, UK Butterworth-Heinemann). The gas catches fire when mixed with ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. 

Fluorine Nitrate, Nitrogen Trioxyfluoride or Nitrosyl Hypofluorite, NOaF, mw 81.01 colorless gas, fr p —175°, bp —45 9°, Trouton Constant 20.81. Either liquid, solid or gas, it explodes readily and violently, and often for no apparent reason... 

Nitrogen Trioxyfluoride. See Fluorine Nitrate in this Section... 

Another application of the adjacent-charge rule, to the fluorine nitrate molecule, will be discussed in a following section, with mention also of the stability of covalent and ionic azides and nitrates. 

It possesses properties similar to fluorine nitrate (p. 465). It explodes in contact with organic materials. It is readily decomposed in an alkaline medium ... 

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