Substance profile
Boron trifluoride
Boron trifluoride is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Boron trifluoride is
Boron trifluoride is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. It boils at -99.9 °C, melts at -127 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as reactive agents - 1st degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH014
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P331
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Boron trifluoride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -99.9 °C (-147.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -100 °C (-148 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -100 °C (-148 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -126.8 °C (-196.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -126.67 °C (-196 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -126.72 °C (-196.1 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.0028 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.6 g/cm³ | CAMEO | ||
| Solubility | Soluble in cold water, hydrolyzes in hot water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid and most organic solvents | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in concentrated nitric acid, benzene, dichlorobenzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 36560 mmHg | at -13.2 °C | HSDB |
| 38000 mmHg | above this value | NIOSH | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Certain chemicals, if drawn back into a boron trifluoride cylinder, can build up tremendous pressure that may cause the cylinder to burst. | HSDB | |
| ... May ... explode in moist air ... | Boranes | HSDB | |
| Nonflammable Gas | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Not Flammable. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | |
| Not flammable | OSHA | ||
| Vapor density | 2.4 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 2.38 (air = 1) | OSHA | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor low 4.50 mg/cu m; Odor high 4.50 mg/cu m | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 1.5 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from AIHA | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | -12.35 °C (9.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Boron trifluoride will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Boron trifluoride
Storage conditions
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Separate from water, active metals, monomers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Boron trifluoride reacts with incandescence when heated with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, except magnesium.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
BORON TRIFLUORIDE is a colorless, strongly irritating, toxic gas. Upon contact with water, steam or when heated to decomposition, it will produce toxic fluoride fumes. Incompatible with alkyl nitrates, calcium oxide. Reaction with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals (except magnesium) will cause incandescence [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 65].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Boron trifluoride in the storage compatibility matrix →