Overview

Potassium fluoride (poe-TAS-ee-yum FLU-ride) is a colorless or white crystalline or powdery compound with no odor, but a sharp, salty taste. It has somewhat limited uses in industry and chemical research.

How It Is Made

In one method for making potassium fluoride, potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) is dissolved in hydrofluoric acid, resulting in the formation of potassium bifluoride (KHF₂): K₂CO₃ + 2H₂F₂ → 2KHF₂ + CO₂ + H₂O. The potassium bifluoride is then heated to form potassium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride: KHF₂ → KF + HF.

Key Facts

Other Names:

Potassium monofluoride

Formula:

KF

Elements:

Potassium, fluorine

Compound Type:

Binary salt (inorganic)

State:

Solid

Molecular Weight:

58.10 g/mol

Melting Point:

858°C(1580°F)

Boiling Point:

1502°C(2736°F)

Solubility:

Soluble in cold water; very soluble in hot water; insoluble in ethyl alcohol; soluble in hydrofluoric acid (H₂F₂)

Potassium fluoride can also be prepared by the direct reaction between hydrofluoric...