Sodium tetrafluoroborate is an inorganic compound with formula NaBF4. It is a salt that forms colorless or white water-soluble rhombic crystals and is soluble in water (108 g/100 mL) but less soluble in organic solvents.[1]
Names | |||
---|---|---|---|
Other names sodium fluoroborate, NaBF4 | |||
Identifiers | |||
3D model (JSmol) | |||
ChemSpider | |||
ECHA InfoCard | 100.033.931 | ||
PubChem CID | |||
UNII | |||
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |||
| |||
| |||
Properties | |||
NaBF4 | |||
Molar mass | 109.794 g/mol | ||
Density | 2.47 g/cm3 | ||
Melting point | 384 °C (723 °F; 657 K) | ||
Related compounds | |||
Other cations | Nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate | ||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Sodium tetrafluoroborate is used in some fluxes used for brazing and to produce boron trifluoride.[2]
Preparation
Sodium tetrafluoroborate can be prepared by neutralizing tetrafluoroboric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.[3]
- NaOH + HBF4 → NaBF4 + H2O
- Na2CO3 + 2 HBF4 → 2 NaBF4 + H2O + CO2
Alternatively the chemical can be synthesized from boric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and sodium carbonate:[2]
- 2H3BO3 + 8HF + Na2CO3 → 2NaBF4 + 7H2O + CO2
Reactions and uses
On heating to its melting point, sodium tetrafluoroborate decomposes to sodium fluoride and boron trifluoride:[4]
- NaBF4 → NaF + BF3
It is a source of tetrafluoroborate anion, which is used in organic chemistry for the preparation of salts. Sodium tetrafluoroborate can be used for synthesis of ionic liquids, where tetrafluoroborate is the anion.