Holmium(III) fluoride

Holmium(III) fluoride is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula of HoF₃.

Holmium(III) fluoride

Identifiers
CAS Number	13760-78-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	75531
ECHA InfoCard	100.033.942
EC Number	237-352-1
PubChem CID	83709
UNII	XU9F7TR3LU Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID3065611
InChI InChI=1S/3FH.Ho/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: FDIFPFNHNADKFC-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES F[Ho](F)F
Properties
Chemical formula	HoF3
Molar mass	221.93
Appearance	yellowish powder
Density	7.64g/cm3[1]
Melting point	1145 °C[2]
Boiling point	>2200 °C[1]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H301, H311, H315, H319, H331, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P310, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P311, P312, P321, P322, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P361, P362, P363, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation

Holmium(III) fluoride can be produced by reacting holmium oxide and ammonium fluoride, then crystallising it from the ammonium salt formed in solution:^[3]

Ho₂O₃ + 6NH₄F ⟶ 2HoF₃ + 6NH₃ + 2H₂O

It can also be prepared by directly reacting holmium with fluorine:^[4]

2Ho + 3F₂ → 2HoF₃

Properties

Holmium(III) fluoride is a yellowish powder that is insoluble in water.^[5] It has an orthorhombic crystal system (corresponding to β-YF₃^[6]) with the space group Pnma (space group no. 62).^[7] However, there is also a trigonal low-temperature form of the lanthanum(III) fluoride type.^[3]