Potassium hexafluoroaluminate

Potassium hexafluoroaluminate

Names
IUPAC name tripotassium;hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
Identifiers
CAS Number	60996-20-5
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	11254636
ECHA InfoCard	100.033.994
EC Number	262-553-6
PubChem CID	16693907
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID30893967
InChI InChI=1S/Al.6FH.3K/h;6*1H;;;/q+3;;;;;;;3*+1/p-6 Key: ZIZQEDPMQXFXTE-UHFFFAOYSA-H
SMILES F[Al-3](F)(F)(F)(F)F.[K+].[K+].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	K3AlF6
Appearance	powder
Melting point	1035
Solubility in water	slightly soluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Potassium hexafluoroaluminate is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula K₃AlF₆. ^{[1] [2] [3]} It naturally occurs as the mineral cryolite. ^[4]

Synthesis

Potassium hexafluoroaluminate can be obtained by reacting fluoroaluminic acid (obtained by the reaction of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and aluminum hydroxide) with potassium hydroxide at high temperature, followed by filtering, drying, melting, and crushing.

6HF + Al(OH)₃ → AlF₃·3HF + 3H₂O

AlF₃·3HF + 3KOH → K₃AlF₆ + 3H₂O

Physical characteristics

Potassium hexafluoroaluminate appears as a white to light grey powder, and is slightly soluble in water.

It forms colorless crystals of the tetragonal system, space group I4₁/a. ^[5]

Uses

Potassium hexafluoroaluminate is used as a welding agent. ^[6]

It is also used in the production of pesticides, manufacture of glassware and enamel industry, in addition to being a solvent for the bauxite in the electrical manufacture of aluminum.

References

1. "Potassium Hexafluoroaluminate". American Elements . Retrieved 15 June 2024.
2. "Potassium hexafluoroaluminate(iii)". NIST . Retrieved 15 June 2024.
3. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Volume 2. John Wiley & Sons. 27 January 2004. p. 371. ISBN   978-0-471-48521-6 . Retrieved 15 June 2024.
4. Rudawska, Anna (24 October 2018). Abrasive Technology: Characteristics and Applications. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 119. ISBN   978-1-78984-193-0 . Retrieved 15 June 2024.
5. King, Graham; Abakumov, Artem M.; Woodward, Patrick M.; Llobet, Anna; Tsirlin, Alexander A.; Batuk, Dmitry; Antipov, Evgeny V. (15 August 2011). "The High-Temperature Polymorphs of K 3 AlF 6" . Inorganic Chemistry. 50 (16): 7792–7801. doi:10.1021/ic200956a. ISSN   0020-1669. PMID   21744814 . Retrieved 15 June 2024.
6. "Potassium hexafluoroaluminate (CAS 13775-52-5)". Santa Cruz Biotechnology . Retrieved 15 June 2024.