Zirconium trifluoride

Zirconium trifluoride is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula ZrF3. This is a salt of zirconium and hydrofluoric acid, forms black crystals.

Synthesis
Zirconium difluoride can be prepared by the action of atomic hydrogen on thin layers of zirconium tetrafluoride, at a temperature of approximately 350°.

Zirconium (III) fluoride can be obtained by reacting hydrogenated zirconium with a mixture of hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen at 750 ° C.


 * 2 Zr + 6 HF ⟶ 2 ZrF3 + 3 H2

It is also possible to prepare it by reducing (NH4)2ZrF6 with hydrogen at 650 °C.

Physical properties
ZrF3 forms black crystals of cubic system, in the space group Pm3m.

It is slightly soluble in hot water, slightly soluble in hot acids. Insoluble in caustic soda and ammonia solution. Its crystal structure corresponds to that of rhenium(VI) oxide.

Chemical properties
ZrF3 disproportionates to the tetrafluoride when heated to 1300 °C:
 * 4 ZrF3 -> 3 ZrF4 + Zr