Process for the Fluorination of Boron Hydrides

Abstract

A process for fluorination of borohydride salts including providing a reaction medium comprising HF and a superacid. A borohydride salt compound is added to the reaction medium. The borohydride salt is reacted with the with the reaction medium under conditions to form a fluorinated borohydride salt. In addition, reactor vessels may be provided for reacting the HF, superacid additive and borohydride that are fabricated from materials resistant to superacid compositions.

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         19 . A fluorinated borohydride containing composition comprising:
 a mixture comprising hydrogen, at least one superacid additive; and a compound having the following formula:
   M a [R b Z c B d H e−n F y+n ] k    
   wherein M is a cation having a valence from 1 to 4; R is selected from the group consisting of a halogen group, hydroxyl group, amino group, nitro group, alkyl group, alkoxy group, perfluoroalkoxy group, phenyl group and combinations thereof; Z is selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, N, P, As, Sb, Bi and combinations thereof; B is boron; H is hydrogen; F is fluorine; a is 1 or 2; b is an integer from 0 to 11, c is an integer from 0 to 1; d is an integer from 5 to 12; e is an integer from 1 to 12; and y is an integer from 0 to 11; k is 1, 2, or 3; and n is an integer from 1 to e and y+n is greater than or equal to 5.   
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the composition is present within a reactor vessel that is fabricated from a material comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, aluminum, nickel, silver, platinum, palladium, carbon, polytetrafluoroethylene resins, polyvinylchloride resins, polychlorotrifluoroethylene resins, hydrocarbon thermoplastics, sapphire, boron carbide, tantalum nitride, steel alloys, superalloys, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the M cation comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the M cation comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydronium (H 3 O + ), ammonium, tetraalkylammonium, trialkylammonium, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, tetraalkylphosphonium, and transition metals such as zinc, silver, iron, nickel, tantalum, and cerium. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein b and c are 0. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein d is an integer selected from the group consisting of 10 and 12. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the superacid additive comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of AlCl 3 , AlF 3 , BCl 3 , BF 3 , GaF 3 , VF 5 , NbF 5 , TaF 5 , PCl 5 , PF 5 , AsF 5 , SbCl 5 , SbF 5 , BiF 5 , OsF 5 , ReF 5 , MoF 5 , WF 6 , WOF 4 ; mixed halogen superacids, sulfonic superacids and anhydrides, protonic acids, superacid reaction products of HF or another fluorinating agent and SbCl 5 , BCl 3 , PCl 5 , or AlCl 3  and combinations thereof.