A variety of silicate-ClF3 reaction experiments have been performed in
order to determine the rate of reaction and minimum temperatures for
which there is complete liberation of oxygen. Fast reaction rates
(less-than-or-equal-to 2 hr.) and low minimum reaction temperatures
(approximately 450-degrees-C) are shown by minerals such as quartz,
feldspar, biotite and pyroxene while garnet reacts much slower and
requires higher temperatures (4-8 hr. and 600-degrees-C, respectively).
It is not possible to completely liberate oxygen from Mg-rich olivine
using ClF3. A comparison of delta-O-18-values obtained from incomplete
oxygen extractions to those for complete extractions indicates that a
minimum oxygen yield of 95% is required for accurate delta-O-18
determinations. These results indicate that ClF3 should not be used as
a reagent when attempting to liberate oxygen preferentially from one
mineral in a multi-mineral sample.