Boron trifluoride

Boron trifluoride (BF₃) is a colorless, pungent gas used mainly in industrial chemistry. It consists of one boron atom bonded to three fluorine atoms, forming a trigonal planar shape. BF₃ is highly reactive and acts as a Lewis acid, meaning it readily accepts electron pairs from other molecules. It’s often used as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions, such as in the production of plastics and pharmaceuticals. Due to its toxicity and corrosiveness, handling BF₃ requires careful safety measures. Despite these hazards, it plays a crucial role in modern chemical manufacturing processes.