Oxyfluorophosphate

Oxyfluorophosphate is a class of inorganic compounds characterized by the presence of oxygen, fluorine, and phosphorus atoms arranged in a polyatomic anion. The most common and widely studied oxyfluorophosphate is the hexafluorophosphate ion, PF6-. However, other oxyfluorophosphate anions exist, such as the heptafluorodiphosphate ion, P2F72-. These compounds often form salts with various cations.

Oxyfluorophosphates are known for their chemical stability and are often used in applications where resistance to oxidation or hydrolysis is required. For example, alkali metal hexafluorophosphates are employed as electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. They can also be found in some specialty glasses and ceramics. The synthesis of oxyfluorophosphates typically involves reactions between phosphorus pentachloride or phosphorus oxychloride with metal fluorides or hydrofluoric acid under controlled conditions. Their properties, such as solubility and melting point, vary significantly depending on the specific cation and the stoichiometry of the oxyfluorophosphate anion.