Uses
Boron trifluoride is most importantly used as a reagent in organic chemistry, typically as a Lewis acid. Examples:
- initiates polymerisation reactions of unsaturated compounds such as polyethers
- as a catalyst in some isomerization, alkylation, esterification, condensation, Mukaiyama aldol addition, and other reactions
Other uses:
- applied as dopant in ion implantation
- p-type dopant for epitaxially grown silicon
- used in sensitive neutron detectors in ionization chambers and devices to monitor radiation levels in the Earth's atmosphere
- in fumigation
- as a flux for soldering magnesium
- to prepare diborane
Read more about this topic: Boron Trifluoride