B. Weinstock
Sep 21, 1964
Citations
0
Influential Citations
8
Citations
Journal
Chemical & Engineering News
Abstract
The hexafluoride molecules are a group of compounds of highly symmetrical molecular structure and unusual volatility. They probably would have remained in relative obscurity except for the discovery of uranium fission in 1939. This fateful event suddenly promoted uranium hexafluoride to a position of substantial commercial importance because it was the only possible process gas for the separation of the uranium isotopes by the gaseous diffusion method. About 10 years ago an analogous interest in the separation of the plutonium isotopes led to the study of plutonium hexafluoride and gave a further stimulus to hexafluoride research. From the practical requirements of the atomic energy program a number of concomitant achievements have resulted: On the practical side are the production and handling of fluorine on an industrial scale and the subsequent emergence of a fluorocarbon industry. On the scientific side are the new hexafluorides of some familiar elements that include the most powerful known fluorinati...