Abstract

Antimony and arsenic both form a trifluoride and a pentafluoride as well as a very stable hexafluoroantimonate and a hexafluoroarsenate ion, respectively. The chemistry of antimony fluoride compounds is well studied. Antimony trifluoride is used as a mild fluorinating agent for the production of fluorocarbons and for nonmetals and metals for the replacement of other halides. It is also used in the manufacture of fluoride glass. Antimony pentafluoride is a moderate fluorinating agent and a powerful oxidizer. It is used to saturate double bonds and in the production of intercalated compounds of graphite. It is also used to produce superacid systems. Anhydrous metal salts can be used as uv catalysts for the production of polymers.

Arsenic trifluoride is used as a fluorinating agent, in semiconductors, and in the synthesis of hexafluoroarsenates. Arsenic pentafluoride is used as a fluorinating agent, in ion implantation, and to produce conductive polymers. However, environmental and regulatory concerns have severely limited these applications.