Fluorine perchlorate is the rarely-encountered chemical compound FClO₄. One synthesis uses fluorine and perchloric acid, though the action of ClF₅ on water is another method. It is extremely unstable and has a penetrating odor.

Structure

Fluorine perchlorate should be analogous to perchloric acid, but with the replacement of the lone hydrogen atom with an atom of fluorine. It contains an oxygen atom in a rare oxidation state of 0, due to the electronegativity of oxygen, which is higher than that of chlorine but lower than that of fluorine.

Reactivity/Safety

FClO₄ has a very dangerous and unpredictable series of reactions associated with it, as a covalent perchlorate (chlorine in the +7 oxidation state) and a compound featuring a very sensitive O-F single bond. Small amounts of reducing agent, e.g. organic compounds, can trigger explosive detonation. Products of these decomposition reactions could include oxygen halides, interhalogen compounds, and other hazardous substances. Accidental synthesis is possible if precursors are carelessly mixed. Like similar covalent fluorides and perchlorates, handle with extreme caution especially if safety data/MSDS is not fully available.

External Links

(one chemist's experiences with perchlorates)