Similarly, chlorine trifluoride is a very unpleasant chemical, toxic and intensely reactive. It has found several uses, most of them pretty noxious. During the Second World War, it was used to make incendiary bombs. It was also the oxidant in some rocket fuels but it was soon realised that more palatable alternatives existed. It can be used in the reprocessing of nuclear fuel rods.
Eye damage is said to be permanent.
Its toxic effects have been ascribed to hydrolysis products HF and ClO 2 . It is one of the most reactive substances known and is a fluorinating agent comparable with fluorine itself. It reacts explosively with water and ignites many powdered metals, even some platinum metals such as Rh and Ir. Containers of nickel, Monel metal or Kel-F are among the few suited to it. When dry it can be handled in Pyrex or quartz containers but traces of moisture liberate HF, which attacks the vessel.