Abstract: A process for fluorination of borohydride salts including providing a reaction medium comprising HF and a superacid. A borohydride salt compound is added to the reaction medium. The borohydride salt is reacted with the reaction medium under conditions to form a fluorinated borohydride salt. In addition, reactor vessels may be provided for reacting the HF, superacid additive and borohydride that are fabricated from materials resistant to superacid compositions.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and a proton conducting medium for use in an electrochemical device having a proton conducting electrolyte comprising the formula: HaMbQ.nH2O where H is a proton, M is a cation, Q is the fluoroborate or fluoroheteroborate anion, n ranges from 0.01 to 1000, a ranges from 0.01 to 2 and b ranges from 0 to 2, a and b are chosen to render the formula electrically neutral, and when b is greater than 0, the ratio of b to a is less than 100 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in lithium secondary batteries comprised of a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator, and a lithium-based electrolyte carried in an aprotic solvent and to the electrolyte compositions. The improvement resides in the use of a lithium salt of the formula: Li2B12FxZ12-x wherein x greater than or equal to 4 and Z represents H, Cl, and Br.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in lithium secondary batteries comprised of a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator, and a lithium-based electrolyte carried in an aprotic solvent and to the electrolyte compositions. The improvement resides in the use of a lithium electrolyte of the formula: Li2B12FxZ12-x wherein x=>5 and Z represents H, Cl, and Br. Preferably, when x is less than 12, Z is Cl.

Abstract: Novel compositions containing SF4—O—CF3 bonded to an organic group are disclosed. Aryl trifluoromethoxytetrafluorosulfuranes (or Ar—SF4—O—CF3), have been synthesized via the reaction of an aryl disulfide or thiol with fluoroxytrifluoromethane (F3COF). The compositions are useful synthons, which may be derivatized to yield highly electrically polar molecules, particularly novel liquid crystal compositions having high dielectric anisotropies. Cycloalkyl trifluoromethoxytetrafluorosulfuranes have similar utility.

Abstract: A process for producing BrSF5 includes providing a first reactant including a metal fluoride of fluorine and a metal M selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and Ag, providing a second reactant including BrF3, combining the first reactant and the second reactant to form a mixture, wherein the first reactant and the second reactant are allowed to contact for a period of time sufficient to produce MBrF4 in an amount stoichiometrically equivalent to a quantity of BrF3, and providing a third reactant including SF4, wherein the third reactant reacts with MBrF4. The process for producing BrSF5 can further include providing a fourth reactant including Br2, wherein the fourth reactant is provided before, during and/or after providing the first reactant, the second reactant and/or the third reactant. BrSF5 is produced in a yield of from about 50% to about 99.99% based on the amount of SF4.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a liquid phase process for the direct fluorination of borohydride salts including the B10H10−2 and B12H12−2 salts wherein said borohydride salt is contacted with fluorine, under conditions for forming said fluorinated borohydride salt. The improvement in the liquid phase process resides in effecting the fluorination of said borohydride salt in the presence of a reaction medium having an acidity between that of water and anhydrous HF. More specifically, the reaction medium should have a Hammett acidity, Ho, between 0>Ho>−11.

Abstract: A process for fluorinating &bgr;-dicarbonyls to form the corresponding &agr;-fluorinated-&bgr;-dicarbonyl compounds is provided. The process is represented by the following reaction scheme: where R1 is H, alkyl or alkoxy, R2 is H, alkyl or perfluoroalkyl, and R3 is H, Cl, Br, I or alkyl. Use of oxygen in the fluorine stream yields a product which is 90-96% pure and contains radical fluorination impurity levels which are 10-20% lower than when oxygen is not used.

Abstract: A process for providing an &agr;-fluorinated-&bgr;-dicarbonyl includes electrophilically fluorinating a &bgr;-dicarbonyl with bis-fluoroxydifluoromethane in the presence of an acid to provide the &agr;-monofluorinated-&bgr;-dicarbonyl. The acid is preferably hydrofluoric acid. Preferred &bgr;-dicarbonyls include methyl-3-oxopentanoate and ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate. The process can limit radical impurity byproducts to no more than 4% in some cases, and less than 0.5% in other cases. Theoretical yields of 95% &agr;-monofluorinated-&bgr;-dicarbonyl are possible in some cases.