Plutonium tetrafluoride

Plutonium(IV) fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula (PuF4). Like all plutonium compounds, for signatories to the treaty, plutonium tetrafluoride is subject to declaration and control under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty through agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency.[2]

Plutonium tetrafluoride[1]
Names
IUPAC name
Plutonium(IV) fluoride
Other names
Plutonium tetrafluoride
Identifiers
ChemSpider
Properties
PuF4
Molar mass 320 g/mol
Appearance reddish-brown monoclinic crystals
Density 7.1 g/cm3
Melting point 1,027 °C (1,881 °F; 1,300 K)
Structure
Monoclinic, mS60
C12/c1, No. 15
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

There are multiple reaction paths for producing plutonium metal from PuF4 including reacting plutonium tetrafluoride with barium, calcium, or lithium at 1200 °C:[3][4][5]

PuF4 + 2 Ba → 2 BaF2 + Pu
PuF4 + 2 Ca → 2 CaF2 + Pu
PuF4 + 4 Li → 4 LiF + Pu
Plutonium tetrafluoride sample with example of one color illustrated through reference to a color standard[6]

Plutonium tetrafluoride can appear a variety of colors depending on the grain size, purity, moisture content, lighting, and presence of contaminants.[4][5] Its primary use in the United States has been as an intermediary product in the production of plutonium metal for nuclear weapons usage.[3]

A sample of plutonium tetrafluoride produced at the Hanford Site during the Cold War and released through the Freedom of Information Act[7][3]

References
  1. Lide, David R. (1998), Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (87 ed.), Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, pp. 4–76, ISBN 0-8493-0594-2
  2. "Key Roles". www.iaea.org. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  3. United States Department of Energy (1997). Linking Legacies: Connecting the Cold War Nuclear Weapons Production Processes to Their Environmental Consequences (PDF). Washington D.C.: United States Department of Energy. pp. 184, passim.
  4. Baldwin, Charles E.; Navratil, James D. (1983-05-19). "Plutonium Process Chemistry at Rocky Flats". In Carnall, William T.; Choppin, Gregory R. (eds.). Plutonium Chemistry. ACS Symposium Series. 216. AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. pp. 369–380. doi:10.1021/bk-1983-0216.ch024. ISBN 9780841207721.
  5. Christensen, Eldon L.; Grey, Leonard W.; Navratil, James D.; Schulz, Wallace W. (1983-05-19). "Present Status and Future Directions of Plutonium Process Chemistry". In Carnall, William T.; Choppin, Gregory R. (eds.). Plutonium Chemistry. ACS Symposium Series. 216. AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. pp. 349–368. doi:10.1021/bk-1983-0216.ch023. ISBN 9780841207721.
  6. Pfeiffer, Martin (March 3, 2019). "PuF4 Pics ORO 2019 00475-FN Final Response 20190312_Page_07_Image_0001". Pfeiffer Nuclear Weapon and National Security Archive. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  7. Pfeiffer, Martin (March 3, 2019). "FOI 2019-00371.Loaded powder pan at RMC line". Pfeiffer Nuclear Weapon and National Security Archive. Retrieved May 23, 2019.


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