Abstract

Tantalum forms a single binary fluoride, tantalum pentafluoride. It is a white solid with a mp of 97C and bp of 229C. It is prepared by the reaction of tantalum pentachloride or oxide with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. Tantalum pentafluoride has been used as a superacid catalyst for the conversion of CH4 to gasolinerange hydrocarbons, in the manufacture of fluoride glass and fluoride glass optical fiber preforms.