Hexafluorophosphoric acid

Hexafluorophosphoric

Colorless liquid

Liquid

1.77 g · cm -3

Miscible with water with a violent reaction

Risk

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Hexafluorophosphoric acid is a chemical compound selected from the group of inorganic acids, or phosphorus and fluorine compounds. The commercial product is a 60-70 % solution.

Production and representation

Hexafluorophosphoric acid may be obtained by reaction of hydrogen fluoride with phosphorus pentafluoride.

It can also be obtained by the reaction of phosphoric acid or phosphorus pentoxide with hydrogen fluoride and phosphoric acid with calcium fluoride and sulfuric acid.

Properties

Hexafluorophosphoric is only stable in solution. The aqueous solution is colorless, acid reaction ( Brønsted acid) and can be concentrated to a concentration of about 75 %. Hexafluorophosphoric decomposes at elevated temperatures and thereby releasing hydrogen fluoride. The hexahydrate is referred to as " Crystalline hexafluorophosphoric acid " wherein PF6 - ions are enclosed by the truncated octahedrons, which are formed by the water and protons. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides evidence that solutions of this hexahydrate contain significant amounts of hydrogen fluoride.

Use

Hexafluorophosphoric acid is used as catalyst for the photopolymerization.

Salts of hexafluorophosphoric come in ionic liquids.