Osmium Tetrafiuoride, ОsF₄

Osmium Tetrafiuoride, ОsF₄, is obtained by passing fluorine over osmium at 280° C., the osmium having been reduced from the dioxide at red heat and rendered thereby less reactive. The small quantities of the higher fluorides simultaneously formed are removed by heating the tube, in which fluorination has been effected, to 100° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen under low pressure.

The tetrafiuoride has not been isolated in the pure state. It dissolves in water, and by adding hydrogen fluoride and neutralising with potassium hydroxide, crystals are obtained upon concentration, consisting probably of Potassium Fluorosmate, K₂ОsF₆.