Wikipedia

Potassium fluoride

Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia.
Potassium fluoride
Potassium-fluoride-3D-ionic.png
Names
IUPAC name
Potassium fluoride
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.228 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 232-151-5
RTECS number
  • TT0700000
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Properties
Chemical formula
KF
Molar mass 58.0967 g/mol (anhydrous)
94.1273 g/mol (dihydrate)
Appearance colourless
Density 2.48 g/cm3
Melting point 858 °C (1,576 °F; 1,131 K) (anhydrous)
41 °C (dihydrate)
19.3 °C (trihydrate)
Boiling point 1,502 °C (2,736 °F; 1,775 K)
anhydrous:
92 g/100 mL (18 °C)
102 g/100 mL (25 °C)
dihydrate:
349.3 g/100 mL (18 °C)
Solubility soluble in HF
insoluble in alcohol
−23.6·10−6 cm3/mol
Structure
Crystal structure
cubic
Hazards
GHS pictograms GHS06: Toxic
GHS Signal word Danger
GHS hazard statements
H301, H311, H331[1]
GHS precautionary statements
P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+310, P302+352, P304+340, P311, P312, P321, P322, P330, P361, P363, P403+233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond
0
3
0
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
245 mg/kg (oral, rat)[2]
Related compounds
Other anions
Potassium chloride
Potassium bromide
Potassium iodide
Other cations
Lithium fluoride
Sodium fluoride
Rubidium fluoride
Caesium fluoride
Francium fluoride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Potassium fluoride is the chemical compound with the formula KF. After hydrogen fluoride, KF is the primary source of the fluoride ion for applications in manufacturing and in chemistry. It is an alkali halide and occurs naturally as the rare mineral carobbiite. Solutions of KF will etch glass due to the formation of soluble fluorosilicates, although HF is more effective.

Preparation

Potassium fluoride is prepared by dissolving potassium carbonate in hydrofluoric acid. Evaporation of the solution forms crystals of potassium bifluoride. The bifluoride on heating yields potassium fluoride:

K2CO3 + 4HF → 2KHF2 + CO2↑ + H2O
KHF2 → KF + HF↑

Platinum or heat resistant plastic containers are often used for these operations.

Potassium chloride converts to KF upon treatment with hydrogen fluoride. In this way, potassium fluoride is recyclable.[3]

Crystalline properties

KF crystallizes in the cubic NaCl crystal structure. The lattice parameter at room temperature is 0.266 nm.[4]

Applications in organic chemistry

In organic chemistry, KF can be used for the conversion of chlorocarbons into fluorocarbons, via the Finkelstein (alkyl halides)[5] and Halex reactions (aryl chlorides).[3] Such reactions usually employ polar solvents such as dimethyl formamide, ethylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide.[6]

Safety considerations

Like other sources of the fluoride ion, F, KF is poisonous, although lethal doses approach gram levels for humans. It is harmful by inhalation and ingestion. It is highly corrosive, and skin contact may cause severe burns.

References

  1. ^ "Potassium Fluoride". sigmaaldrich.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  2. ^ Chambers, Michael. "ChemIDplus - 7789-23-3 - NROKBHXJSPEDAR-UHFFFAOYSA-M - Potassium fluoride - Similar structures search, synonyms, formulas, resource links, and other chemical information". chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov.
  3. ^ a b Siegemund, Günter; Schwertfeger, Werner; Feiring, Andrew; Smart, Bruce; Behr, Fred; Vogel, Herward; McKusick, Blaine (2002). "Fluorine Compounds, Organic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_349..
  4. ^ "Potassium fluoride". University College London.
  5. ^ Vogel, A. I.; Leicester, J.; Macey, W. A. T. (1956). "n-Hexyl Fluoride". Organic Syntheses. 36: 40. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.036.0040.
  6. ^ Han, Q.; Li, H-Y. "Potassium Fluoride" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, 2001 John Wiley & Sons,New York. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rp214
This article is copied from an article on Wikipedia® - the free encyclopedia created and edited by its online user community. The text was not checked or edited by anyone on our staff. Although the vast majority of Wikipedia® encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information, please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.

Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.