Home Categories Inorganic chemistry Hydrofluoric acid
A4736112

Hydrofluoric acid , CP,40.0% , 7664-39-3

Synonym(s):
HF;Hydrofluoric acid solution, Fluoric acid;Hydrogen Fluoride

CAS NO.:7664-39-3

Empirical Formula: FH

Molecular Weight: 20.01

MDL number: MFCD00011346

EINECS: 231-634-8

Update time: 2022-07-08

PRODUCT Properties

Melting point: -35°C
Boiling point: 105°C
Density  1.15 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
vapor density  1.27 (vs air)
vapor pressure  25 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
Flash point: 112°C
storage temp.  Store at +5°C to +30°C.
solubility  very soluble in H2O, ethanol; soluble in ethyl ether
pka 3.17(at 25℃)
form  Liquid, Double Sub-Boiling Quartz Distillation
Specific Gravity 1.15
PH 3.27(1 mM solution);2.65(10 mM solution);2.12(100 mM solution)
PH Range 1
Odor Acrid, irritating odor
Water Solubility  soluble
Sensitive  Hygroscopic
Merck  14,4790
Exposure limits Ceiling limit 3 ppm (~2.5 mg/m3) as F (ACGIH); TWA 3 ppm (MSHA and OSHA).
Dielectric constant 17.0(-73℃)
Stability: Stable. Hygroscopic. Incompatible with glass, alkali metals, light metals, alkaline earth metals
LogP 0.1 at 20℃

Description and Uses

Hydrofluoric acid is a solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive inorganic acid. It is utilized widely in the manufacture of ceramics and graphite, in the electropolishing and pickling of metals, in the etching and frosting of glass, in the semiconductor industry as etchant and cleaning agent, in the chemical and oil-refining industries, and in cleaning solutions, laundry powder and pesticides. Hydrofluoric acid is also widely used in the preparation of many useful fluorine compounds, such as Teflon, Freon, fluorocarbons, and many medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac).

Diluted hydrofluoric acid (1-3 %wt) is used in the "Oil Patch" in a mixture with other acids (HCl or organic acids) in order to stimulate the production of water, oil and gas wells specifically where sandstone is involved. HF is also used in oil refining. In a standard oil-refinery process known as Alkylation, isobutane is alkylated with low-molecular weight alkenes (primarily a mixture of propylene and butylene) in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, hydrofluoric acid. The catalyst is able to protonate the alkenes (propylene, butylene) to produce reactive carbo-cations , which cause alkylation of isobutane. The phases separate spontaneously, so the acid phase is vigorously mixed with the hydrocarbon phase to create sufficient contact surface. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is used principally in organofluorine chemistry. Additionally, most high-volume inorganic fluoride compounds are prepared from hydrofluoric acid. Foremost are Na3AlF6, (Cryolite), and AlF3(aluminum trifluoride). A molten mixture of these solids serves as a high-temperature solvent for the production of metallic aluminum. Concerns about fluorides in the environment have led to a search for alternative technologies. Other inorganic fluorides prepared from hydrofluoric acid include NaF and UF6.
The ability of hydrofluoric acid to dissolve metal oxides is the basis of several applications. It removes oxide impurities from stainless steel in a process called pickling. Surface oxides are removed from silicon with hydrofluoric acid in the Semiconductor Industry. For this purpose, dilute hydrofluoric acid is sold as a household rust stain remover. Recently, it has even been used in “Car-Wash” facilities in “wheel cleaner” compounds. Due to its ability to dissolve oxides, hydrofluoric acid is useful for dissolving rock samples (usually powdered) prior to analysis. Similarly, this acid has been used to extract organic fossils from silicate rocks. Fossiliferous rock may be immersed directly into the acid, or a cellulose nitrate film may be applied (dissolved in amyl acetate), which adheres to the organic component and allows the rock to be dissolved around it.

Safety

Symbol(GHS) 
GHS05,GHS06
Signal word  Danger
Hazard statements  H300+H310+H330-H314
Precautionary statements  P260-P270-P280-P303+P361+P353-P304+P340+P310-P305+P351+P338
Hazard Codes  T+,C,T,Xn
Risk Statements  26/27/28-35-36/37/38-20/21/22
Safety Statements  26-36/37/39-45-7/9-36/37-28-36
OEB B
OEL TWA: 3 ppm (2.5 mg/m3), Ceiling: 6 ppm (5 mg/m3) [15-minute]
RIDADR  UN 1790 8/PG 2
WGK Germany  2
RTECS  MW7875000
Hazard Note  Corrosive
TSCA  Yes
DOT Classification 8, Hazard Zone C (Corrosive material)
HazardClass  8
PackingGroup  II
HS Code  28111100
Toxicity LC50 (15 min.) in rats, guinea pigs: 2689, 4327 ppm (Rosenholtz)
IDLA 30 ppm

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