Graphite fluorides synthesis

Graphite fluoride continues to be of interest as a high temperature lubricant (6). Careful temperature control at 627 3° C results in the synthesis of poly(carbon monofluoride) [25136-85-0] (6). The compound remains stable in air to ca 600°C and is a superior lubricant under extreme conditions of high temperatures, heavy loads, and oxidising conditions (see Lubrication and lubricants). It can be used as an anode for high energy batteries (qv). 

Table 1. Synthesis of Graphite Fluorides and Carbon Fluorides...

H. Takenaka, M. Kawaguchi, M. Lerner and N. Bartlett, Synthesis and Characterization of Graphite Fluorides by Electrochemical Fluorination in Aqueous and Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride, Chem. Comm. (1987) 1431-1432. 

Covalent fluorination of graphite is a common side reaction to the electrochemical formation of neutral graphite salts of such complex fluoride ions as [PFg] . An indirect RT synthesis of graphite fluoride is by anodic oxidation of graphite in nonaqueous solutions of F plus [BF4] salts C BF, which is formed in the primary step, is converted to graphite fluoride by an exchange process. 

Scheme 2.2 Synthesis of graphite fluoride by fluorination of norite or graphite.

Carbon materials used for the commercial synthesis of carbon fluoride include natural graphite, petroleum coke, activated carbon, carbon black and carbon fiber. Experimental carbon materials include residual carbon, exfoliated graphite, fullerenes and other unique carbons and carbon inserts. The degree of graphitization of carbon material varies continuously, so it is not simple to define the exact boundary between carbon and graphite. The product formed... 

M. Lerner, R. Hagiwara and N. Bartlett, Synthesis of Main-Group Graphite Fluoroanion Salts with Chlorine-Assisted Oxidation by Lewis-Acid Fluorides, J. Fluorine Chem. 57 (1992) 1-13. 

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