Potassium fluoride
chemical compound
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 salt 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 reacting potassium carbonate with hydrofluoric acid. Evaporation of the solution forms crystals of potassium bifluoride. The bifluoride on heating yields potassium fluoride:
K2CO3 + 4 HF → 2 KHF2 + CO2 ↑ + H2O
KHF2 → KF + HF ↑
Platinum or heat resistant plastic containers are often used for these operations.
Crystalline properties
KF crystallizes in the cubic NaCl crystal structure. The lattice parameter at room temperature is 0.266 nm.
Applications in organic chemistry
In organic chemistry, KF can be used for the conversion of chlorocarbons into fluorocarbons, via the Finkelstein (alkyl halides) and Halex reactions (aryl chlorides). Such reactions usually employ polar solvents such as dimethyl formamide, ethylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide.
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