Production of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride from fluorosilicic acid: a review

Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF), a critical raw material for industries such as aluminum, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum, has traditionally been sourced from fluorite-a non-renewable mineral. The unsustainable reliance on fluorite has catalyzed the search for alternative AHF production methods. A promising substitute is fluorosilicic acid (FSA), a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry previously deemed waste. Transforming fluorosilicic acid into AHF not only yields a valuable resource but also addresses the environmental and economic challenges associated with waste management. The innovative practice of producing AHF from fluorosilicic acid signals a shift towards sustainable chemical production by capitalizing on waste, potentially diminishing reliance on fluorite and reducing the industry's environmental impact. This review thoroughly dissects the AHF synthesis process from fluorosilicic acid. Despite the acknowledged importance of fluorinated compounds in numerous industrial applications, research on their synthesis from fluorosilicic acid is limited and fragmented. This review seeks to amalgamate this scattered information by closely scrutinizing diverse industrial processing methods. Additionally, it explores the current and future landscape, economic feasibility, and strategies to navigate the obstacles inherent in synthesizing AHF from fluorosilicic acid. It also assesses the environmental impact of these methods, thereby contributing to the dialogue in this emerging field. The primary aim of this manuscript is to foster further research and promote the industrial uptake of this sustainable process. Highlighting the challenges and proposing potential improvements, the review supports the responsible reuse of waste and advocates for advancements in industrial practices.

Unravelling the Role of the Pentafluoroorthotellurate Group as a Ligand in Nickel Chemistry

The pentafluoroorthotellurate group (teflate, OTeF₅ ) is able to form species, for which only the fluoride analogues are known. Despite nickel fluorides being widely investigated, nickel teflates have remained elusive for decades. By reaction of [NiCl₄ ]^2- and neat ClOTeF₅ , we have synthesized the homoleptic [Ni(OTeF₅ )₄ ]^2- anion, which presents a distorted tetrahedral structure, unlike the polymeric [NiF₄ ]^2- . This high-spin complex has allowed the study of the electronic properties of the teflate group, which can be classified as a weak/medium-field ligand, and therefore behaves as the fluoride analogue also in ligand-field terms. The teflate ligands in [NEt₄ ]₂ [Ni(OTeF₅ )₄ ] are easily substituted, as shown by the formation of [Ni(NCMe)₆ ][OTeF₅ ]₂ by dissolving it in acetonitrile. Nevertheless, careful reactions with other conventional ligands have enabled the crystallization of nickel teflate complexes with different coordination geometries, i.e. [NEt₄ ]₂ [trans-Ni(OEt₂ )₂ (OTeF₅ )₄ ] or [NEt₄ ][Ni(bpyMe₂ )(OTeF₅ )₃ ].

Insights on the Lewis Superacid Al(OTeF5 )3 : Solvent Adducts, Characterization and Properties

Preparation and characterization of the dimeric Lewis superacid [Al(OTeF₅ )₃ ]₂ and various solvent adducts is presented. The latter range from thermally stable adducts to highly reactive, weakly bound species. DFT calculations on the ligand affinity of these Lewis acids were performed in order to rank their remaining Lewis acidity. An experimental proof of the Lewis acidity is provided by the reaction of solvent-adducts of Al(OTeF₅ )₃ with [PPh₄ ][SbF₆ ] and OPEt₃ , respectively. Furthermore, their reactivity towards chloride and pentafluoroorthotellurate salts as well as (CH₃ )₃ SiCl and (CH₃ )₃ SiF is shown. This includes the formation of the dianion [Al(OTeF₅ )₅ ]^2- .

Fluorofoldamer-Based Salt- and Proton-Rejecting Artificial Water Channels for Ultrafast Water Transport

Here, we report on a novel class of fluorofoldamer-based artificial water channels (AWCs) that combines excellent water transport rate and selectivity with structural simplicity and robustness. Produced by a facile one-pot copolymerization reaction under mild conditions, the best-performing channel (AWC 1) is an n-C₈H₁₇-decorated foldamer nanotube with an average channel length of 2.8 nm and a pore diameter of 5.2 Å. AWC 1 demonstrates an ultrafast water conduction rate of 1.4 × 10¹⁰ H₂O/s per channel, outperforming the archetypal biological water channel, aquaporin 1, while excluding salts (i.e., NaCl and KCl) and protons. Unique to this class of channels, the inwardly facing C(sp2)-F atoms being the most electronegative in the periodic table are proposed as being critical to enabling the ultrafast and superselective water transport properties by decreasing the channel's cavity and enhancing the channel wall smoothness via reducing intermolecular forces with water molecules or hydrated ions.

Flexible, Elastic, and Superhydrophobic/Superoleophilic Adhesive for Reusable and Durable Water/Oil Separation Coating

This study investigates a highly flexible/stretchable and mechanically durable superhydrophobic/superoleophilic coating for efficient oil/water separation and oil absorption. The coating is applied via a simple immersion process using a mixed solution of a biocompatible adhesive (ethyl cyanoacrylate, ECA), a highly stretchable polymer (polycaprolactone, PCL), and superhydrophobic/superoleophilic nanoparticles (fluorine-coated silica nanoparticles, F-SiO₂ NPs) in a solvent, followed by solvent evaporation and ECA polymerization. Polymerized ECA (poly-ECA) in the coating material strongly adheres the F-SiO₂ NPs to the substrate surface, while PCL bestows the rigid poly-ECA with high flexibility. A coated polyurethane sponge exhibits superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of >150°), while retaining robust mechanical stability and flexibility/elasticity. This provides an efficient means of cleaning oil spills with high selectivity, even after mechanical abrasion (>99% separation efficiency is retained after 120 tape test cycles and 50 rubbing test cycles), with excellent reusability.

Investigation of Bis(Perfluoro-tert-Butoxy) Halogenates(I/III)

A systematic study of halogenate(I/III) anions with polyatomic ligands is presented. The bis(perfluoro‐tert‐butoxy) halogenates(I) [X(OC₄F₉)₂]⁻, X=Cl, Br, I, of chlorine, bromine, and iodine are prepared as their tetraethylammonium salts and characterized with IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopic methods, as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. Spectroscopical data are supported by quantum‐chemical calculations. Additionally, the bonding situation of the species in question are analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, the oxidation to the corresponding halogenate(III) derivatives was studied. For [Br(OC₄F₉)₂]⁻, oxidation with elemental fluorine gave [BrF₂(OC₄F₉)₂]⁻. Iodide was directly oxidized by ClOC₄F₉ to the I^III species [I(OC₄F₉)₄]⁻, which is a surprisingly inert anion that might be used as a weakly coordinating anion (WCA) in the future. For [Cl(OC₄F₉)₂]⁻, the decomposition products of the synthetic approaches towards a chlorine(III) system were analyzed.

Supramolecular Alloys from Fluorinated Hybrid Tri4 Di6 Imine Cages

To create innovative materials, efficient control and engineering of pore sizes and their characteristics, crystallinity and stability is required. Eight hybrid Tri4 Di6 imine cages with a tunable degree of fluorination and one fully fluorinated Tri4 Di6 imine cage are investigated. Although the fluorinated and the non-fluorinated building blocks used herein differ vastly in reactivity, it was possible to gain control over the outcome of the self-assembly process, by carefully controlling the feed ratio. This represents the first hybrid material based on fluorinated/hydrogenated porous organic cages (POCs). These cages with unlimited miscibility in the solid state were obtained as highly crystalline samples after recrystallization and even showed retention of the crystal lattice, forming alloys. All mixtures and the fully fluorinated Tri4 Di6 imine cage were analyzed by MALDI-MS, single-crystal XRD, powder XRD and in regard to thermal stability (TGA).

Mixed Noble-Gas Compounds of Krypton(II) and Xenon(VI); [F5 Xe(FKrF)AsF6 ] and [F5 Xe(FKrF)2 AsF6 ]

The coordination chemistry of KrF₂ has been limited in contrast with that of XeF₂ , which exhibits a far richer coordination chemistry with main-group and transition-metal cations. In the present work, reactions of [XeF₅ ][AsF₆ ] with KrF₂ in anhydrous HF solvent afforded [F₅ Xe(FKrF)AsF₆ ] and [F₅ Xe(FKrF)₂ AsF₆ ], the first mixed krypton/xenon compounds. X-ray crystal structures and Raman spectra show the KrF₂ ligands and [AsF₆ ]^- anions are F-coordinated to the xenon atoms of the [XeF₅ ]⁺ cations. Quantum-chemical calculations are consistent with essentially noncovalent ligand-xenon bonds that may be described in terms of σ-hole bonding. These complexes significantly extend the XeF₂ -KrF₂ analogy and the limited chemistry of krypton by introducing a new class of coordination compound in which KrF₂ functions as a ligand that coordinates to xenon(VI). The HF solvates, [F₅ Xe(FH)AsF₆ ] and [F₅ Xe(FH)SbF₆ ], are also characterized in this study and they provide rare examples of HF coordinated to xenon(VI).

Synthesis and Applications of Selected Fluorine-Containing Fluorophores

The synthesis of fluorine-containing small molecules has had numerous benefits of improving the quality and efficiency of many applications of these compounds. For example, fluorine adds promising functionalities in various areas of imaging (MRI, PET, and NIR); gives cell-targeting properties; and has demonstrated improvements in cell permeability, solubility, and other pharmacologic properties. For these and other numerous reasons, fluorination of molecules has grown in popularity in various fields of chemistry. Many reports show the effects observed from increasing the number of fluorine atoms on a fluorophore scaffold. This report will cover the most significant applications and improvements that fluorine has contributed to in various dye scaffolds such as BODIPY, rhodamine, phthalocyanine, and cyanine in the recent decade.

Catalytic trifluoromethylation of iodoarenes by use of 2-trifluoromethylated benzimidazoline as trifluoromethylating reagent

The trifluoromethylation of iodoarenes was accomplished by use of a 2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazoline derivative as the trifluoromethylating reagent and a catalytic amount of Cu(I) in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridyl as the ligand. Through a mechanistic study, we found that the oxidative addition of the iodoarene to the Cu(I)–CF₃ species is the rate-determining step.

Copper-based fluorinated reagents for the synthesis of CF2R-containing molecules (R ≠ F)

Over the years, the development of new methodologies for the introduction of various fluorinated motifs has gained a significant interest due to the importance of fluorine-containing molecules in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. In a world eager to eco-friendlier tools, the need for innovative methods has been growing. To address these two challenges, copper-based reagents were developed to introduce CF2H, CF2RF, CF2CH3, CF2PO(OEt)2 and CF2SO2Ph motifs on a broad range of substrates. Copper-based fluorinated reagents have the advantage of being inexpensive and generally in situ generated or prepared in a few steps, which make them convenient to use. In this review, an overview of the recent advances made for the synthesis of fluorinated molecules using copper-based fluorinated reagents will be given.

Fluorinated azobenzenes as supramolecular halogen-bonding building blocks

ortho-Fluoroazobenzenes are a remarkable example of bistable photoswitches, addressable by visible light. Symmetrical, highly fluorinated azobenzenes bearing an iodine substituent in para-position were shown to be suitable supramolecular building blocks both in solution and in the solid state in combination with neutral halogen bonding acceptors, such as lutidines. Therefore, we investigate the photochemistry of a series of azobenzene photoswitches. Upon introduction of iodoethynyl groups, the halogen bonding donor properties are significantly strengthened in solution. However, the bathochromic shift of the π→π* band leads to a partial overlap with the n→π* band, making it slightly more difficult to address. The introduction of iodine substituents is furthermore accompanied with a diminishing thermal half-life. A series of three azobenzenes with different halogen bonding donor properties are discussed in relation to their changing photophysical properties, rationalized by DFT calculations.

Pentafluoro(aryl)-λ6 -tellanes and Tetrafluoro(aryl)(trifluoromethyl)-λ6 -tellanes: From SF5 to the TeF5 and TeF4 CF3 Groups

The TeF₅ group is significantly underexplored as a highly fluorinated substituent on an organic framework, despite it being a larger congener of the acclaimed SF₅ group. In fact, only one aryl-TeF₅ compound (phenyl-TeF₅ ) has been reported to date, synthesized using XeF₂ . Our recently developed mild TCICA/KF approach to oxidative fluorination provides an affordable and scalable alternative to XeF₂ . Using this method, we report a scope of extensively characterized aryl-TeF₅ compounds, along with the first SC-XRD data on this compound class. The methodology was also extended to the synthesis and structural study of heretofore unknown aryl-TeF₄ CF₃ compounds. Additionally, preliminary reactivity studies unveiled some inconsistencies with previous literature regarding phenyl-TeF₅ . Although our studies conclude that the arene-based TeF₅ (and TeF₄ CF₃ ) group is not quite as robust as the SF₅ group, we find that the TeF₅ group is more stable than previously thought, thus opening a door to explore new applications of this motif.

A Very Strong Methylation Agent: [Me2 Cl][Al(OTeF5 )4 ]

A new chloronium-containing salt, [Me₂ Cl][Al(OTeF₅ )₄ ], was synthesized on multigram scale by means of a simple one-pot procedure. The isolated product can be handled at room temperature and used as a strong electrophilic methylation agent. This is demonstrated by the methylation of the very weak bases P(CF₃ )₃ , PF₃ , MeI, and MeBr.

Benzyl Mono-P-Fluorophosphonate and Benzyl Penta-P-Fluorophosphate Anions Are Physiologically Stable Phosphotyrosine Mimetics and Inhibitors of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

α,α-Difluoro-benzyl phosphonates are currently the most popular class of phosphotyrosine mimetics. Structurally derived from the natural substrate phosphotyrosine, they constitute classical bioisosteres and have enabled the development of potent inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) and phosphotyrosine recognition sites such as SH2 domains. Being dianions bearing two negative charges, phosphonates, however, do not permeate membranes and thus are often inactive in cells and have not been a successful starting point toward therapeutics, yet. In this work, benzyl phosphonates were modified by replacing phosphorus-bound oxygen atoms with phosphorus-bound fluorine atoms. Surprisingly, mono-P-fluorophosphonates were fully stable under physiological conditions, thus enabling the investigation of their mode of action toward PTP. Three alternative scenarios were tested and mono-P-fluorophosphonates were identified as stable reversible PTP1B inhibitors, despite of the loss of one negative charge and the replacement of one oxygen atom as an H-bond donor by fluorine. In extending this replacement strategy, α,α-difluorobenzyl penta-P-fluorophosphates were synthesized and found to be novel phosphotyrosine mimetics with improved affinity to the phosphotyrosine binding site of PTP1B.

Synthesis and Characterization of [XeOXe](2+) in the Adduct-Cation Salt, [CH3 CN- - -XeOXe- - -NCCH3 ][AsF6 ]2

Acetonitrile and [FXeOXe- - -FXeF][AsF6 ] react at -60 °C in anhydrous HF (aHF) to form the CH3 CN adduct of the previously unknown [XeOXe](2+) cation. The low-temperature X-ray structure of [CH3 CN- - -XeOXe- - -NCCH3 ][AsF6 ]2 exhibits a well-isolated adduct-cation that has among the shortest Xe-N distances obtained for an sp-hybridized nitrogen base adducted to xenon. The Raman spectrum was fully assigned by comparison with the calculated vibrational frequencies and with the aid of (18) O-enrichment studies. Natural bond orbital (NBO), atoms in molecules (AIM), electron localization function (ELF), and molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPS) analyses show that the Xe-O bonds are semi-ionic whereas the Xe-N bonds may be described as strong electrostatic (σ-hole) interactions.

Highly Efficient C-SeCF3 Coupling of Aryl Iodides Enabled by an Air-Stable Dinuclear Pd(I) Catalyst

Building on our recent disclosure of catalysis at dinuclear Pd(I) sites, we herein report the application of this concept to the realization of the first catalytic method to convert aryl iodides into the corresponding ArSeCF3 compounds. Highly efficient C-SeCF3 coupling of a range of aryl iodides was achieved, enabled by an air-, moisture-, and thermally stable dinuclear Pd(I) catalyst. The novel SeCF3 -bridged dinuclear Pd(I) complex 3 was isolated, studied for its catalytic competence and shown to be recoverable. Experimental and computational data are presented in support of dinuclear Pd(I) catalysis.

Si nanopatterning by reactive ion etching through an on-chip self-assembled porous anodic alumina mask

We report on Si nanopatterning through an on-chip self-assembled porous anodic alumina (PAA) masking layer using reactive ion etching based on fluorine chemistry. Three different gases/gas mixtures were investigated: pure SF6, SF6/O2, and SF6/CHF3. For the first time, a systematic investigation of the etch rate and process anisotropy was performed. It was found that in all cases, the etch rate through the PAA mask was 2 to 3 times lower than that on non-masked areas. With SF6, the etching process is, as expected, isotropic. By the addition of O2, the etch rate does not significantly change, while anisotropy is slightly improved. The lowest etch rate and the best anisotropy were obtained with the SF6/CHF3 gas mixture. The pattern of the hexagonally arranged pores of the alumina film is, in this case, perfectly transferred to the Si surface. This is possible both on large areas and on restricted pre-defined areas on the Si wafer. PACS: 78.67.Rb, 81.07.-b, 61.46.-w.

Nematic Liquid Crystals for Active Matrix Displays: Molecular Design and Synthesis

Substances forming calamitic mesophases have been known for more than 100 years but only the recent, rapid advance in active matrix liquid crystal display (AM-LCD) technology helped these materials to achieve the crucial position in flat panel display technology they hold today. Due to their high contrast, large viewing angle, and rapid switching times, modern AM-LCDs offer a superior picture quality even compared to conventional cathode ray tubes. Their flatness, low weight, and low energy consumption render them the technology of choice for all kinds of portable devices. Some of the future promises of AM-LCD technology are centered around the development of liquid crystalline materials for the different subtypes of active matrix applications. This development is aimed, on the one hand, towards improved electrooptical and viscoelastic properties; on the other hand, the increasing performance of LCDs leads to extremely stringent reliability demands on the liquid crystals. Responding to these high standards of performance and quality, most liquid crystals for contemporary AM-LCD applications are multiply fluorinated compounds with very high purities, as is typical for materials used in the electronics industry. The synthesis of these superfluorinated materials (SFMs) often requires specialized methods, which, in several cases, had to be introduced for the first time into the canon of industrial production. The immense market pressure, as well as the rapid advance of AM-LCD technology on the side of the display manufacturers, urges an increasing pace of the materials development. This demand for new materials can no longer be fulfilled by conventional trial-and-error approaches. As in the pharmaceutical industry, in the search for new, superior liquid crystals, the purely empirical methods are increasingly supported by a rational design based on computational methods.