The phosphorus atom has a nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift of 97 ppm (downfield of H3PO4).

It does not attack glass except at high temperatures, and anhydrous potassium hydroxide may be used to dry it with little loss.

PF3 forms several complexes for which the corresponding CO derivatives (see metal carbonyl) are unstable or nonexistent.

[3][4][5] Such complexes are usually prepared directly from the related metal carbonyl compound, with loss of CO.

Cr(PF3)6, the analogue of Cr(CO)6, may be prepared from dibenzenechromium: Phosphorus trifluoride is usually prepared from phosphorus trichloride via halogen exchange using various fluorides such as hydrogen fluoride, calcium fluoride, arsenic trifluoride, antimony trifluoride, or zinc fluoride:[6][7][8] Phosphorus trifluoride is similar to carbon monoxide in that it is a gas which strongly binds to iron in hemoglobin, preventing the blood from absorbing oxygen.