INDIUM FLUORIDE

Chemical Properties

-40 mesh with 99.999% purity; white powder(s); hygroscopic; stable in hot and cold H2O [STR93] [MER06] [CER91]. very sparingly soluble in water (in contrast to InF3 ? 3 H2O) although readily soluble in dilute acids. Reduced to almost pure InF3 by a very slow stream of hydrogen at 300°C; a fast stream of the latter reduces it to the metal. M.p. 1170°C, b.p. >1200°C; d 4.39. Solubility in water at room temperature: 0.040 g/100 ml.

Uses

Indium(III) fluoride is employed in the synthesis of non-oxide glasses. It promotes chemoselective addition of TMSCN to aldehydes forming the respective cyanohydrins.

Uses

Employed in the synthesis of non-oxide glasses. Promotes chemoselective addition of TMSCN to aldehydes forming the respective cyanohydrins.

Synthesis

1. Thermal decomposition of (NH4)3InFs in a stream of fluorine gas. A small sintered corundum vessel containing (NH4)3InFs is placed in a nickel tube and heated in a fluorine stream to constant weight.
(NH4)3(InFe) = InF3 + 3 NH4F
2. A small sintered alumina vessel containing In2O3 is fluorinated in a quartz tube (in an apparatus similar to that used for the preparation of TIF3). After gentle initial heating, the reaction proceeds (occasionally with incandescence) without additional supply of heat. The progress of the conversion may be checked since the yellow oxide becomes colorless and an increase in volume takes place simultaneously. To obtain a completely oxide-free preparation the product must be kept for several hours at 500°C in a nickel tube, while a stream of fluorine is passed over it.
2In2O3 + 6F2 = 4InF3 + 3O2