Bismuth(III) fluoride

Bismuth trifluoride

Names
IUPAC name Bismuth(III) fluoride
Other names Bismuth trifluoride
Identifiers
CAS Number	7787-61-3
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21172751
ECHA InfoCard	100.029.204
PubChem CID	82233
InChI InChI=1/Bi.3FH.3H/h;3*1H;;;/q+3;;;;;;/p-3/rBiH3.3FH/h1H3;3*1H/q+3;;;/p-3 Key: GRQDKISMHISLGB-IZWAAGQTAY
SMILES [F-].[F-].[F-].[BiH3+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	BiF3
Molar mass	265.97550 g/mol
Appearance	grey-white powder
Density	5.32 g cm−3
Melting point	649˚C
Solubility in water	Insoluble in water
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-61.0·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure	Orthorhombic, oP16, SpaceGroup = Pnma, No. 62 (β phase)
Hazards
Main hazards	Irritant
R-phrases (outdated)	R36/38
S-phrases (outdated)	S26
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Bismuth trifluoride is a chemical compound of bismuth and fluorine. The chemical formula is BiF₃. It is a grey-white powder melting at 649°C.

It occurs in nature as the rare mineral gananite.

Bismuth trifluoride can be prepared by reacting bismuth(III) oxide with hydrofluoric acid:

α-BiF₃ has a cubic crystalline structure (Pearson symbol cF16, space group Fm-3m, No. 225). β-BiF₃ has the YF₃ structure where the bismuth atom has distorted 9 coordination, tricapped trigonal prism. This structure is generally considered to be ionic, and contrasts with fluorides of the lighter members of group 15, phosphorus trifluoride, PF₃, arsenic trifluoride, AsF₃ and antimony trifluoride, SbF₃, where MX₃ molecular units are present in the solid.

BiF₃ is unaffected by water and is almost insoluble. It does not form complexes readily but the following, BiF₃.3HF and BiF₄⁻ in NH₄BiF₄, are known. The addition compound H₃BiF₆ is hydrolysed by water forming BiOF.