Potassium Fluoride Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Potassium is denoted with the symbol K and has the atomic number 19. It is a very soft metal and has silvery-white appearance. It is an element of group 1 in the periodic table. Potassium is one of the important mineral supplements for the human body. If there are low potassium levels in our body that may lead to several health issues such as weakness in muscles and paralysis.
Fluorine is denoted with the symbol F and has the atomic number 9. It is the most reactive nonmetal in the periodic table. It is the lightest element of all halogens. It is highly toxic and has a pale yellow appearance in its gaseous form.

Potassium fluoride formula

It is a white crystalline substance and has no odor. It is highly poisonous. This ionic compound is a composition of one atom of potassium and one atom of fluorine. Its chemical formula is KF. It is soluble in water.

Preparation of Potassium fluoride

• It is prepared by reacting potassium carbonate and hydrofluoric acid. Then potassium bifluoride is formed as a product. 

K₂CO₃ + 4HF → 2KHF₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

• The resulted product KHF2 is further heated to give potassium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride as results.  

KHF₂ → KF + HF 

•  Potassium hydroxide is reacted with hydrofluoric acid to form potassium fluoride. The chemical reaction is, 

H₂F₂ + 2KOH → 2KF + 2H₂O

Structure of Potassium fluoride

Its chemical formula is KF. Its molar mass is 58.0967 g /mol.

Physical Properties of Potassium fluoride

1. Potassium fluoride is appear to be as a White crystalline substance, with no odor. It is smell-less substance.
2. The molar mass of KF is 58.0967 g/mol.
3. KF is soluble in water, hydrogen fluoride while, insoluble in alcohol.
4. The melting and the boiling points of Potassium fluoride are 858 °C and 1,502 °C respectively.
5. The Potassium fluoride crystallizes in the cubic crystal structure of Sodium Chloride (NaCl).

Chemical Properties of Potassium fluoride

• Potassium fluoride reacts with water to form potassium and fluoride ions. The chemical reaction is as follows 

KF(s) + H₂O(l) → K⁺(aq) + F^–(aq)

• A double displacement reaction takes place when aqueous potassium fluoride reacts with aqueous calcium nitrate to form calcium fluoride as precipitate and potassium nitrate. The chemical reaction is as follows 

Ca(NO₃)₂(aq) + 2KF(aq) → CaF₂(s) + 2KNO₃

Uses of Potassium fluoride 

• It is used as a preservative.
• It is used to convert chlorocarbons into fluorocarbons in organic chemistry.
• It is used as an insecticide pesticide and disinfectant.
• It is used in metallurgy. 
• In some cases, it is added to table salt to prevent dental cavities.

Harmful effects of Potassium Fluoride

1. Irritation of eyes and burnings on the skin may occur when it gets contacted. 
2. Inhaling potassium fluoride severely damage the throat and lungs. 
3. It may also affect the Kidneys and higher levels of potassium fluoride lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
4. Repeated exposure to Potassium Chloride may lead to the depositing of fluoride in bones and teeth.

Sample Questions

Question 1: How is potassium fluoride prepared? 

Answer:

• It is prepared by reacting potassium carbonate and hydrofluoric acid. Then potassium bifluoride is formed as a product. 

K₂CO₃ + 4HF → 2KHF₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

• The resulted product KHF2 is further heated to give potassium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride as results.  

KHF₂ → KF + HF 

•  Potassium hydroxide is reacted with hydrofluoric acid to form potassium fluoride. The chemical reaction is, 

H₂F₂ + 2KOH → 2KF + 2H₂O

Question 2: How does potassium fluoride react with hydrochloric acid?

Answer:

Aqueous potassium fluoride reacts with hydrochloric acid to form aqueous potassium chloride and hydrofluoric acid as result. The chemical reaction is 

KF(aq) + HCl(aq) → KCl(aq) + HF(aq)

Question 3: Describe the harmful effects caused by potassium fluoride?

Answer:

The harmful effects caused by potassium fluoride are,

• Irritation of eyes and burnings on the skin may occur when it gets contacted. 
• Inhaling potassium fluoride severely damage the throat and lungs. 
• It may also affect the Kidneys and higher levels of potassium fluoride lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Repeated exposure to Potassium Chloride may lead to the depositing of fluoride in bones and teeth.

Question 4: What happens when silver nitrate is reacted with potassium fluoride?

Answer: 

A double displacement reaction takes place when silver nitrate is reacted with potassium fluoride. silver fluoride and potassium nitrate are formed as result. The chemical reaction is 

AgNO₃ + KF → AgF + KNO₃

Question 5: What happens when potassium is reacted with water?

Answer:

When potassium is added to water, it reacts very rapidly. The exothermic reaction takes place and the hydrogen produces as a result, ignites and sparks appear. The chemical reaction is

2K(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H₂