It is used as a
fluorination reagent in
organic chemistry. This application was reported by the Belgian chemist
Frédéric Jean Edmond Swarts in 1892, who demonstrated its usefulness for converting chloride compounds to
fluorides. The method involved treatment with antimony trifluoride with
chlorine or with
antimony pentachloride to give the active species antimony trifluorodichloride (SbCl2F3). This compound can also be produced in bulk. The
Swarts reaction is generally applied to the synthesis of
organofluorine compounds, but experiments have been performed using
silanes. It was once used for the industrial production of
freon. Other fluorine-containing
Lewis acids serve as fluorinating agents in conjunction with
hydrogen fluoride. SbF3 is used in dyeing and in
pottery, to make ceramic enamels and glazes. ==Safety==