Tribromofluoromethane

Tribromofluoromethane also known as Halon 1103 or R 11B3, is a fully halogenated mixed halomethane or, more exactly, a bromofluorocarbon (BFC). It is a colorless to yellow liquid

Tribromofluoromethane can be used in fire extinguishers.

Table of physical properties

Property	Value
Refractive index, n, at 20°C	1.5216
Surface tension at 20°C	31.68mN·m−1
Viscosity at 0°C	2.09mPa·s, 2.09cP

History

Tribromofluoromethane was first synthesised in 1919 by Hans Rathburg. It was later prepared by reacting carbon tetrabromide with antimony trifluoride and elemental bromine by heating at for 1 hour and having the tribromofluormethane distill off.

Chemistry

Pyrolysis of tribromofluoromethane yields hexafluorobenzene at up to a 45 percent yield, plus bromine, alongside small quantities of bromopentafluorobenzene.

The bromines in tribromofluoromethane can be substituted by reactive metals like lithium and zinc using organometallic compounds, ultimately creating fluorinated alcohols by addition of carbonyl compounds.

Tribromofluoromethane also forms phosphorus ylides which can be used to synthesise bromofluoro-substituted terminal alkenes. Similar loss of bromine takes place through cyclisation with hydrazones to form 4-fluoro pyrazoles.

External links

• Raman and infrared spectra of solid tribromofluoromethane
• Entry at chem007.com