Berkelium(III) fluoride is a binary inorganic compound of berkelium and fluorine with the chemical formula .

Synthesis The compound can be prepared by treating with a gaseous mixture of and HF at 600 °C.

Physical properties Berkelium trifluoride forms a yellow-green solid with two structures. At low temperature, it is orthorhombic ( structure), with lattice parameters a = 670 pm, b = 709 pm, and c = 441 pm. At high temperature, it is trigonal ( structure), with lattice parameters a = 697 pm and c = 714 pm. The transition temperature of is between 350 and 600 °C.

Chemical properties Berkelium trifluoride is reduced by lithium to obtain metallic berkelium:

References