Berkelium tetrafluoride

Berkelium tetrafluoride is a binary inorganic compound of berkelium and fluorine with the chemical formula BkF4.

Synthesis
Berkelium tetrafluoride may be formed by the fluorination of berkelium trioxide, dioxide, or trifluoride with elemental fluorine at elevated temperatures:
 * 2Bk2O3 + 8F2 -> 4BkF4 + 3O2
 * 2BkF3 + F2 -> 2BkF4

Physical properties
Berkelium(IV) fluoride forms light brown crystals of monoclinic crystal structure of uranium tetrafluoride type. Cell parameters: a = 1.2396 nm, b = 1.0466 nm, c = 0.8118 nm, angle β = 126.33°.

Chemical properties
Berkelium tetrafluoride is reduced by lithium at elevated temperatures to metallic berkelium:


 * BkF4 + 4Li -> Bk + 4LiF