Uranium pentafluoride is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula UF5. It is a pale yellow paramagnetic solid. The compound has attracted interest because it is related to uranium hexafluoride, which is widely used to produce uranium fuel. It crystallizes in two polymorphs, called α- and β-UF5.

Synthesis and structure

Uranium pentafluoride is an intermediate in the conversion of uranium tetrafluoride to volatile UF6:

1. 2UF4 + F2 → 2UF5

2. 2UF5 + F2 → 2UF6

It can be produced by reduction of the hexafluoride with carbon monoxide at elevated temperatures.

1. 2UF6 + CO → 2UF5 + COF2

Other reducing agents have been examined.

It can also be produced by various molecular laser isotope separation methods.

The α form is a linear coordination polymer consisting of chains of octahedral uranium centers in which one of the five fluoride anion forms a bridge to the next uranium atom. The structure is reminiscent of that for vanadium pentafluoride.

In the β form, the uranium centers adopt a square antiprismatic structure. The β polymorph gradually converts to α at 130°C.

Monomeric UF5

Of theoretical interest, molecular UF5 can be generated as a transient monomer by UV-photolysis of uranium hexafluoride. It is thought to adopt a square pyramidal geometry.

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