Trifluoronitrosomethane

Trifluoronitrosomethane (commonly abbreviated TFNM) is a toxic organic compound consisting of a trifluoromethyl group covalently bound to a nitroso group. Its distinctive deep blue color is unusual for a gas.

History
Trifluoronitrosomethane was synthesized for the first time in 1936 by Otto Ruff and Manfred Giese at the University of Wrocław. It was created through the fluorination of silver cyanide in the presence of silver nitrate and silver oxide.

Production
Trifluoronitrosomethane can be produced from the reaction of trifluoroiodomethane and nitric oxide under a UV light with a yield of up to 90% in normal pressure. A small amount of mercury is needed as catalyst. The reaction results in the creation of iodine as a by-product.

Properties
Although it is somewhat more kinetically stable due to its fluorine substituents, trifluoronitrosomethane, like other nitroso compounds, has a weak C–N bond of only 39.9 kcal/mol.

Related
Trifluoronitrosoethylene is also a similar deep blue gas.