Plutonium(III) fluoride
Plutonium(III) fluoride, also known as plutonium trifluoride, is a chemical compound with the formula PuF3. It is a purple solid that is insoluble in water and is a relatively stable plutonium compound.
Properties:
Plutonium(III) fluoride is an ionic compound. It exhibits a crystal structure consisting of plutonium(III) cations (Pu3+) and fluoride anions (F-). It is typically prepared by reacting plutonium metal or another plutonium compound with a fluorinating agent, such as hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas or elemental fluorine (F2), at elevated temperatures.
Uses:
PuF3 serves as an intermediate in the production of plutonium metal. It can be reduced with reactive metals, such as barium or calcium, at high temperatures to produce plutonium metal. This method is preferred when producing high-purity plutonium. Plutonium(III) fluoride has also been investigated for use in molten salt reactors.
Safety:
Plutonium(III) fluoride is a radioactive compound and must be handled with appropriate precautions to prevent internal and external exposure. Inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption should be avoided. As with all plutonium compounds, strict adherence to established safety protocols and containment procedures is necessary when working with plutonium(III) fluoride.