A specific method for the preparation of many transition metal and actinide oxide tetrafluorides

A general method for the preparation of many transition metal and actinide oxide tetrafluorides by oxygen-fluorine exchange of their respective hexafluorides using boric oxides is described. This simple procedure affords the preparation of MoOF₄, WOF₄, ReOF₄, OsOF₄ and UOF₄ in high yield while reaction of boric oxide with IrF₆ and RuF₆ leads to the preparation of lower fluorides of these elements. The preparation of oxide tetrafluorides by reaction of their oxide tetrachlorides with anhydrous HF has also been investigated, as well as a study of some halogen-exchange reactions of the oxide tetrafluorides.