Borofluorate complexation constant
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Boron and fluorine can form borofluorate ions in solution. Does anyone know the stepwise stability constants for these borofluorine complexes, especially those of the borofluorate ion? Thank you!
This post was last edited by qugd on 2018-12-24 at 15:24. The complexation constants for fluoroboric acid are highly specialized data; such information is likely available only in institutions dedicated to professional fluorine chemistry research, as I could not find it in the Lan’s Chemical Handbook. Furthermore, although fluoroboric acid consists of four fluorine atoms bonded to one boron atom, it does not readily form through stepwise complexation as some common complexes do; it is far more likely that the formation of fluoroboric acid occurs when boric fluoride combines with hydrogen fluoride.
Thank you! I think there is a step-by-step complexation process. Generally, when boric acid is dissolved in water, the tetrahydroxy group and boron combine first; then fluorine gradually replaces the hydroxyl groups, eventually forming a tetrafluoroboron complex anion.