Nitrogen trifluoride is a colorless gas with a musty odour. It is used as a fluorine source in the electronics industry and in high power lasers. Reason for citation. * Nitrogen trifluoride is on the Hazardous Substances Inventory because it is regulated by OSHA and referenced by ACGIH, DOT and NIOSH.

Nitrogen trifluoride (NF

3) It is an inorganic, colorless, non-flammable, toxic gas with a slight musty smell. It is increasingly used in the manufacture of flat panel displays, photovoltaics, LEDs and other microelectronics. [6] Nitrogen trifluoride is also an extremely potent and long-lived greenhouse gas. Its atmospheric load exceeded two parts per trillion in 2019 and has doubled every five years since the end of the 20th century. [7][8]

Nitrogen trifluoride did not exist in large quantities on Earth before it was synthesized by humans. This is a rare example of a binary fluoride, which can only be prepared directly from the element under very rare conditions, such as electric discharge. [9] After the first synthetic attempt in 1903, Otto Ruff prepared nitrogen trifluoride by electrolysis of a molten mixture of ammonium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride. [10] It has been shown to be far less reactive than the other nitrogen trihalides nitrogen trichloride, nitrogen tribromide, and nitrogen triiodide, which are all explosive. Among the nitrogen trihalides, only it has a negative enthalpy of formation. It is prepared in modern times by the direct reaction of ammonia and fluorine as well as variations of the Ruff method. [11] It is supplied in pressurized cylinders.

Highly toxic fluorine gas (F2, diatomic fluorine) is a climate-neutral alternative to nitrogen trifluoride in certain manufacturing applications. It requires stricter handling and safety precautions, especially to protect manufacturing personnel. [17]