OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE

A colorless poisonous gas with a strong peculiar odor. Highly toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to skin and eyes. Can explode on contact with water. Decomposes to toxic gaseous fluorine if heated to high temperature. Prolonged exposure of the containers to high heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing. Used as an oxidizer for propellants.

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

Violent explosions resulted when a spark was discharged in a 25-70% mixture of oxygen difluoride with oxygen over water [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:191. 1956]. Can explode on contact with water.

Excerpt from 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Substance does not burn but will support combustion. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. These are strong oxidizers and will react vigorously or explosively with many materials including fuels. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Some will react violently with air, moist air and/or water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)

OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE is an oxidizing agent. Mixtures with carbon monoxide, with hydrogen, or with methane explode on sparking [Streng, A. G., Chem. Rev., 1963, 63, p. 610]. May react explosively with adsorbents (silica, alumina, molecular sieves, silica gel) [Streng A. G., Chem. Eng. News, 1965, 43(12), p. 5]; the presence of moisture may render such mixtures shock-sensitive [Metz, F. I., Chem. Eng. News, 1965, 43(7), p. 41]. Gives explosive reactions with diborane, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxide, nitrosyl fluoride, charcoal, sulfur tetrafluoride. Warming of mixtures with halogens, with metal halides, with aluminum chloride, with antimony pentachloride, and with tungsten gives explosions. Ignites on contact with diborane tetrafluoride, phosphorus pentaoxide, red phosphorus, boron, silicon [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1419]. Incompatible with ammonia, arsenic trioxide, chromium trioxide, chlorine in the presence of copper, ozone [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 978]. Reacts to incandescence with aluminum, barium, cadmium, magnesium, strontium, zinc, zirconium. Reacts with the alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) [Streng, A. G., Chem. Rev., 1963, 63, p. 611].

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong
• Halogenating Agents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2190 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

SMALL FIRE: CAUTION: These materials do not burn but will support combustion. Some will react violently with water. Contain fire and let burn. If fire must be fought, water spray or fog is recommended. Water only; no dry chemical, CO2 or Halon®. Do not get water inside containers. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Ventilate the area. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Oxygen difluoride:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Oxygen difluoride:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: WATER FLUSH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible. (NIOSH, 2023)

• DIFLUORINE MONOOXIDE
• DIFLUORINE MONOXIDE
• DIFLUORINE OXIDE
• FLUORINE MONOXIDE
• FLUORINE MONOXIDE (F2O)
• FLUORINE OXIDE
• FLUORINE OXIDE (F2O)
• OXYDIFLUORIDE
• OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE
• OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE, COMPRESSED
• OXYGEN FLUORIDE