Ammonium fluoride

Ammonium fluoride . It is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4F. It crystallizes as small colorless prisms, with an acute saline flavor, and is extremely soluble in water . The substance decomposes on heating or burning, producing toxic and corrosive fumes, including hydrogen fluoride , nitrogen oxide and ammonia . The solution in water is a weak acid. Reacts with chlorine trifluoride , creating an explosion hazard. Attacks glass and metals .

Summary

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  • 1 Features
  • 2 Crystal structure
  • 3 Reactions
  • 4 Use
  • 5 Physical and chemical properties
  • 6 Effects on humans
    • 1 Precautions
    • 2 Guidance for people who are in contact with fluoride
  • 7 Sources

characteristics

It is a white, corrosive and toxic crystal . It is soluble in water and methanol , slightly soluble in ethanol , insoluble in propane and liquid ammonia . When hot water is decomposing it will be able to release ammonia and ammonium bifluoride .

Crystal structure

Ammonium fluoride adopts the wurtzite crystal structure, in which both ammonium cations and fluoride anions are stacked in ABABAB … layers, each being tetrahedrally surrounded by four of the other. There are NH … F hydrogen bonds between anions and cations. This structure is very similar to that of ice , and ammonium fluoride is the only substance that can form mixed crystals with water.

Reactions

As the hydrogen fluoride gas passes through the salt, ammonium fluoride absorbs the gas to form the addition ammonium bifluoride compound. The occurrence of reaction is:

NH₄F + HF? NH₄FHF2 Sublimes when heated, a common property among ammonium salts. In sublimation, the salt decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen fluoride, and the two gases recombine to give ammonium fluoride, that is, the reaction is reversible: F? NH3 + HF

Use

This substance is commonly known as “commercial ammonium fluoride”. The word “neutral” is sometimes added to “ammonium fluoride” to represent neutral F-salt versus “acid salt”. The acid salt is generally used in preference to the neutral salt in etching glass and related silicates. This property is shared among all soluble fluorides. For this reason, it cannot be handled in glass test tubes or apparatus during laboratory work. It is also used for wood preservation , as an anti-moth treatment agent, in textile printing and death, and as an antiseptic in breweries.

Physical and chemical properties

  • Appearance: Discolored crystals.
  • Smell: Odorless.
  • Density: 1,009 (d20 ° C)
  • Solubility: 100 water @
  • 0C (32F) of g / l00 ml.
  • Specific gravity: 1.01
  • pH: The aqueous solution is an acid
  • % volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F): 0.
  • Boiling point: Not applicable.
  • Melting point: Sublimates over heating.

Effects on humans

If this compound has been inhaled or swallowed it can cause fluoride poisoning. Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Later effects include effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular effects, and death.

Inhalation: Irritation and burns of the respiratory tract, symptoms that cause fainting, may include coughing, a sore throat, and labored breathing. It can be absorbed with inhalation of the dust; symptoms may parallel exposure from ingestion. Irritation and burning effects may not appear immediately.

Ingestion: May cause salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, followed by weakness, tremors, low breathing, cardinal pedal spasm, seizures, and coma. Brain and kidney damage is the cause of May. Death can be caused by respiratory paralysis. It affects the heart and the circulatory system.

Skin Contact: Causes severe irritation and possibly burns to the skin. It can be absorbed through the skin. The effects may not appear immediately.

Eye contact: Causes irritation. It can be extremely irritating with possible burns to the eye and tissue, permanent eye damage can result.

Chronic Exposure: Chronic exposure can cause motley teeth and bone damage (osteosclerosis) and fluorosis. Fluorysis symptoms include brittle bones, weight loss, anemia, calcified ligaments, general poor health, and joint stiffness.

Provocation of pre-existing conditions: Populations that appear to be at increased risk for the effects of fluoride are individuals who suffer from diabetes insipidity or some forms of renal impairment.

Health Grade: 4 -Extreme (Poison).

Flammability rating: 0 – None.

Reactivity Rating: 1 – Slight.

Contact degree: 3 – Severe

Cautions

First aid procedures should be planned for fluoride compound emergencies as appropriate:

Inhalation: If you have inhaled, put in fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

Ingestion: Administer milk, calcium carbonate chewable tablets or milk of magnesia. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

Skin Contact: Wipe off any excess skin material and then immediately clean the skin with large amounts of soapy water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothes before reuse. Apply the bandages soaked in magnesium sulfate.

Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids from time to time.

In all cases, a doctor should be called immediately.

Guidance for people who are in contact with fluoride

Wear appropriate goggles, lab coats, naso-bucket or gas masks, and gloves

 

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