Sodium tetrafluoroborate

Sodium tetrafluoroborate
The sodium cation
The sodium cation
The tetrafluoroborate anion (ball-and-stick model)
The tetrafluoroborate anion (ball-and-stick model)
Names
Other names
  • Sodium fluoroborate
  • Borate(1-), tetrafluoro-, sodium
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.033.931
EC Number
  • 237-340-6
UNII
UN number 3260
  • InChI=1S/BF4.Na/c2-1(3,4)5;/q-1;+1
  • [B-](F)(F)(F)F.[Na+]
Properties[1]
NaBF4
Molar mass 109.79 g·mol−1
Appearance white orthorhombic prisms
Density 2.47 g/cm3
Melting point 384 °C (723 °F; 657 K)
108 g/100g (20 °C (68 °F))
Solubility in ethanol slightly soluble
Band gap 7.85 eV[2]
Structure[2]
Orthorhombic
Cmcm
mmm
a = 6.05 Å, b = 6.73 Å, c = 6.72 Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
273.69 Å3
4
Hazards
GHS labelling:[3]
GHS05: Corrosive
Danger
H314
P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340+P310, P305+P351+P338+P310, P363, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
[4]
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
3
0
0
2.5 mg/m3[4] (TWA)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):[4]
PEL (Permissible)
 2.5 mg/m3 (TWA)
REL (Recommended)
 5 mg/m3 (TWA)
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 250 mg/m3
Related compounds
Other cations
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Sodium tetrafluoroborate is an inorganic compound with formula NaBF4. It is a salt that forms colorless or white orthorhombic crystals.[1]

Sodium tetrafluoroborate is used in some fluxes used for brazing and to produce boron trifluoride.[5]

Preparation

Sodium tetrafluoroborate can be prepared by neutralizing tetrafluoroboric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.[6]

NaOH + HBF4 → NaBF4 + H2O
Na2CO3 + 2 HBF4 → 2 NaBF4 + H2O + CO2

Alternatively the chemical can be synthesized from boric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and sodium carbonate:[5]

2 H3BO3 + 8 HF + Na2CO3 → 2 NaBF4 + 7 H2O + CO2

Reactions and uses

On heating to its melting point, sodium tetrafluoroborate decomposes to sodium fluoride (NaF) and boron trifluoride (BF3):[7]

NaBF4 → NaF + BF3

It is a source of tetrafluoroborate anion, which is used in organic chemistry for the preparation of salts. Sodium tetrafluoroborate can be used for synthesis of ionic liquids, where tetrafluoroborate is the anion.

References

  1. 1 2 Haynes, William M., ed. (2016). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (97th ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. pp. 4–87. ISBN 9781498754293.
  2. 1 2 "Materials Data on NaBF4 by Materials Project". next-gen.materialsproject.org. United States: Materials Project. 16 July 2020. doi:10.17188/1206959. OSTI 1206959. DOE Contract Number AC02-05CH11231, mp-3521. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Sigma-Aldrich Co., Sodium tetrafluoroborate.
  4. 1 2 3 "SDS - Sodium tetrafluoroborate". fishersci.com. ThermoFisher Scientific. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  5. 1 2 Kwasnik, W. Brauer, Georg (ed.). Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Vol. 1, 2nd Ed. New York: Academic Press. p. 220. ISBN 978-0121266011.
  6. ↑ Eagleson, Mary (1994). Concise Encyclopedia Chemistry. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110114515.
  7. ↑ Lewis Sr., Richard J. (2008-07-14). Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference. Wiley. ISBN 9780470334454.
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