NaBF4

NaBF4, also known as sodium tetrafluoroborate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaBF4. It is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and some organic solvents. NaBF4 is a salt formed from the sodium cation (Na+) and the tetrafluoroborate anion (BF4-). The tetrafluoroborate anion is a relatively stable, tetrahedral species.

This compound finds various industrial applications. It is commonly used in metallurgy, particularly in aluminum processing, where it acts as a flux to remove impurities and improve the quality of the metal. In the production of borax and boric acid, NaBF4 can also serve as an intermediate. Furthermore, it is employed in the synthesis of other boron compounds and in certain electrochemical processes.

Industrially, NaBF4 is typically manufactured by the reaction of sodium fluoride (NaF) with boric acid (H3BO3) in the presence of hydrofluoric acid (HF) or by reacting sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) with boric acid and hydrofluoric acid. Care must be taken during its handling due to the potential release of toxic hydrogen fluoride under certain conditions.