Curium(III) fluoride explained

Curium(III) fluoride or curium trifluoride is the chemical compound composed of curium and fluorine with the formula CmF₃.^[1] It is a white, nearly insoluble salt that has the same crystal structure as LaF₃. It precipitates as a hydrate when fluoride ions are added to a weakly acidic Cm(III) solution; alternatively it can be synthesized by reacting hydrofluoric acid with Cm(OH)₃. The anhydrous form is then obtained by desiccation or by treatment with hydrogen fluoride gas.

Preparation

Curium fluoride can be prepared by in the reaction of curium with fluorine ions in an aqueous solution under weakly acidic conditions:

Cm^3+ (aq) + 3 F^- (aq) -> CmF3 (s) v

Another possible preparation is the reaction of curium hydroxide with hydrofluoric acid, which also produces a hydrate of Curium fluoride.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Book: Macintyre . Jane E. . Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds . 23 July 1992 . . 978-0-412-30120-9 . 3046 . 27 June 2023 . en.
2. Book: Lumetta, Gregg J. . Thompson . Major C. . Penneman . Robert A. . Eller . P. Gary . 2006 . Morss . Lester R. . Edelstein . Norman M. . Fuger . Jean . Curium . en . Dordrecht . Springer Netherlands . 1397–1443 . 10.1007/1-4020-3598-5_9 . 978-1-4020-3598-2.