Neptunium(III) fluoride
Neptunium(III) fluoride, also known as neptunium trifluoride, is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula NpF3. It is a salt composed of neptunium in the +3 oxidation state and fluoride anions. Neptunium(III) fluoride is a solid at room temperature.
Neptunium(III) fluoride can be produced by reacting neptunium dioxide with hydrogen fluoride at elevated temperatures. It can also be formed by the reduction of neptunium(IV) fluoride with hydrogen gas.
NpF3 is a red-purple solid. It adopts a crystal structure similar to that of lanthanum trifluoride (LaF3), possessing hexagonal symmetry.
Neptunium(III) fluoride is a precursor to the production of neptunium metal. It is reduced with barium or lithium metal at high temperatures to yield neptunium metal and the corresponding metal fluoride salt. This reduction method is a key step in the isolation and purification of neptunium.
Due to the radioactivity of neptunium and the potential toxicity of fluorides, Neptunium(III) fluoride must be handled with appropriate safety precautions in specialized facilities designed to contain radioactive materials. Its use is primarily limited to research and applications involving nuclear fuel cycles and materials science.