Setting Fire to Glass - The "Nope" Chemical That is Chlorine Trifluoride

"Rocket scientist Dr. John D Clark famously said about the best way to deal with potential chlorine trifluoride rocket accidents, 'I have always recommended a good pair of running shoes.' "

Or, just don't go in the pool in the first place.

Chlorine trifluoride sound like something I absolutely, positively do not every want to come even remote contact with.

I love the concept of storing chlorine trifluoride inside a steel container that's been already fully oxidized with fluorine gas. In chemistry class, I mention the storage of fluorine gas similarly and use the analogy of asking the fat kid to hold onto - but not eat - your pan of brownies. The only way to do that safely is to already feed him brownies until he's sick to his stomach of brownies. Yeah, you've lost a whole bunch of brownies along the way, but your final pan of brownies is gonna be safe.



If the little dalliance in the middle of the video about hydrofluoric acid intrigues you, check out this post of mine from a few years back about hydrofluoric acid treatment.