RESEARCH IN FLUORINE CHEMISTRY

The electrolysis of solutions of compounds containing N and O dissolved in anhydrous HF was initiated as a means of synthesizing N-O-F compounds. Data were presented on the HF-N2O4 system, particularly its electrical properties information also was presented on electrode materials. Pt was a satisfactory reference electrode in anhydrous HF for monitoring changes in electrode potential during electrolysis. The electrolysis of HF-N2O4 and of HF-HNO3 solutions near O C yielded substantial quantities of NO3F and OF2. This synthesis of NO3F demonstrated for the first time that a compound containing the -NOF group can be prepared electrochemically. At -20 C, the electrolysis of HF- N2O4 yielded O3 in addition to NO3F and OF2. The O3 prepared by this method showed an unusual degree of stability toward explosive decomposition. The effect of additives and of changes in experimental conditions is discussed. The results of electrolysis on the HF-NO and HF-FNO systems are also presented. Data on the solubility of N2O in HF are reported.