Mechanochemical synthesis of AlF3 with NH4F as fluorinating agent – Does it work?

Followed by X-ray diffraction, MAS NMR and elemental analysis the mechanochemical reaction between Al(OiPr)3, γ-AlOOH and Al(ac)2OH as possible aluminium sources on the one side, and NH4F as fluorinating agent on the other side was studied. Encouraged by the successful mechanochemical synthesis of CaF2 using the same fluorinating agent, the formation of AlF3 was expected. However, it can be established that as long as NH4F is supplied the formation of crystalline (NH4)3AlF6 is observed instead.

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