Berkelium(III) fluoride

Berkelium(III) fluoride is a binary inorganic compound of berkelium and fluorine with the chemical formula .

Synthesis

The compound can be prepared by treating with a gaseous mixture of and HF at 600 Ã‚°C.

Physical properties

Berkelium trifluoride forms a yellow-green solid with two structures. At low temperature, it is orthorhombic ( structure), with lattice parameters a = 670 pm, b = 709 pm, and c = 441 pm. At high temperature, it is trigonal ( structure), with lattice parameters a = 697 pm and c = 714 pm. The transition temperature of is between 350 and 600 Ã‚°C.

Chemical properties

Berkelium trifluoride is reduced by lithium to obtain metallic berkelium:

References