Physical Constants of Uranium Fluoride

uranium (IV) fluoride
 Formula as commonly written: UF4
Hill system formula: F4U1
 CAS registry number: [10049-14-6]
 Formula weight: 314.023
 Class: fluoride
Synonyms
 uranium (IV) fluoride
uranium fluoride
 uranium tetrafluoride
Physical properties
 Colour: green
 Appearance: crystalline solid
 Melting point: 960°C; 1036°C
 Boiling point: 1417°C
 Density: 6700 kg m-3
Element analysis and oxidation numbers
For each compound, and where possible, a formal oxidation number for each element is given, but the usefulness of this number is limited, especially so for p-block elements in particular. Based upon that oxidation number, an electronic configuration is also given but note that for more exotic compounds you should view this as a guide only.
Element % Formal oxidation state Formal electronic configuration
F 24.20 -1 [He].2s2.2p6
U 75.80 4 [Rn].5f2
Synthesis
Not available
Solid state structure
 Geometry of uranium: 8 coordinate: square antiprismatic
 Prototypical structure:

Isotope pattern
What follows is the calculated isotope pattern for the UF4 unit with the most intense ion set to 100%.
Formula: U1F4
mass %
310 0.0
311 0.7
312 0.0
313 0.0
314 100.0 __________________________________________________

References
The data on these compounds pages are assembled and adapted from the primary literature and several other sources including the following.
 R.T. Sanderson in Chemical Periodicity, Reinhold, New York, USA, 1960.
 N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.
 F.A. Cotton, G. Wilkinson, C.A. Murillo, and M. Bochmann, in Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, 1999.
 A.F. Trotman-Dickenson, (ed.) in Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry, Pergamon, Oxford, UK, 1973.
 R.W.G. Wyckoff, in Crystal Structures, volume 1, Interscience, John Wiley & Sons, 1963.
 A.R.West in Basic solid state chemistry Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, 1999.
 A.F. Wells in Structural inorganic chemistry, 4th edition, Oxford, UK, 1975.
 J.D.H. Donnay, (ed.) in Crystal data determinative tables, ACA monograph number 5, American Crystallographic Association, USA, 1963.
 D.R. Lide, (ed.) in Chemical Rubber Company handbook of chemistry and physics, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, 77th edition, 1996.
 J.W. Mellor in A comprehensive treatise on inorganic and theoretical chemistry, volumes 1-16, Longmans, London, UK, 1922-1937.
 J.E. Macintyre (ed.) in Dictionary of inorganic compounds, volumes 1-3, Chapman & Hall, London, UK, 1992.

Uranium Tetrafluoride
Source: Appendix A of the PEIS (DOE/EIS-0269)
Physical Properties
Uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) is a green crystalline solid that melts at about 1,760°F (96°C) and has an insignificant vapor pressure. It is very slightly soluble in water. It is generally an intermediate in the conversion of UF6 to either uranium oxide (U3O8 or UO2) or uranium metal. It is formed by the reaction of UF6 with hydrogen gas in a vertical tube-type reactor or by the action of hydrogen fluoride (HF) on uranium dioxide. UF4 can be readily converted to either uranium metal or uranium oxide. UF4 is less stable than the uranium oxides and produces hydrofluoric acid in reaction with water; it is thus a less favorable form for long-term disposal. The bulk density of UF4 varies from about 2.0 g/cm3 to about 4.5 g/cm3 depending on the production process and the properties of the starting uranium compounds.
Chemical Properties
Uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) reacts slowly with moisture at ambient temperature, forming UO2 and HF, which are very corrosive.



Safety (MSDS) data for uranium tetrafluoride


General
Synonyms:
Molecular formula: UF4
CAS No: 10049-14-6
EINECS No: 233-170-1
Physical data
Appearance:
Melting point:
Boiling point:
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure:
Density (g cm-3):
Flash point:
Explosion limits:
Autoignition temperature:
Water solubility:
Stability
Toxicology
Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact. May cause cancer, probably through exposure to the breakdown product radon gas and its daughters.
Transport information
Personal protection
Safety glasses, good ventilation. Treat as a radiation hazard. Avoid skin contact. Ensure precautions are in place to prevent contamination of working areas.