It is a covalently bonded molecule with a bent molecular geometry and a F-O-F bond angle of 103 degrees. Its powerful oxidizing properties are suggested by the oxidation number of +2 for the oxygen atom instead of its normal −2.
Reactions
Above 200 °C, OF2 decomposes to oxygen and fluorine by a radical mechanism.
However, in the presence of UV radiation, the products are sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) and pyrosulfuryl fluoride (S2O5F2):
OF2 + 2 SO2 → S2O5F2
Safety
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2018)
Oxygen difluoride is considered an unsafe gas due to its oxidizing properties. It reacts explosively with water.[9] Hydrofluoric acid produced by the hydrolysis of OF2 with water is highly corrosive and toxic, capable of causing necrosis, leaching calcium from the bones and causing cardiovascular damage, among a host of other highly toxic effects. Other acute poisoning effects include: pulmonary edema, bleeding lungs, headaches, etc.[10] Chronic exposure to oxygen difluoride, like that of other chemicals that release fluoride ions, can lead to fluorosis and other symptoms of chronic fluoride poisoning. Oxygen difluoride may be associated with kidney damage.[10] The maximum workplace exposure limit is 0.05 ppm.[11][10]
Popular culture
In Robert L. Forward's science fiction novel Camelot 30K, oxygen difluoride was used as a biochemical solvent by fictional life forms living in the solar system's Kuiper belt. While OF2 would be a solid at 30K, the fictional alien lifeforms were described as endothermic, maintaining elevated body temperatures and liquid OF2 blood by radiothermal heating.