Substance profile
Ammonium fluoride
Ammonium fluoride is deliquescent leaflets or needles; hexagonal prisms by sublimation and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Ammonium fluoride is
Ammonium fluoride is deliquescent leaflets or needles; hexagonal prisms by sublimation and is odorless. Its molecular formula is FH4N and its molecular weight is 37.037 g/mol. It boils at 100 °C, melts at 238 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ammonium fluoride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 100 °C (212 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| Melting point | 238 °C (460.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 126 °C (258.8 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| sublimes | sublimes | ICSC | |
| Density | 1.015 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.01 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.32 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | 82.780 lb/100 lb of water at 70 °F | at 21.11 °C | HSDB |
| 83.5 g/100 g water at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 45.3 g/100 g water at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Not flammable | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrodes glass | HSDB | |
| At fire temp corrodes metals | HSDB | ||
| May corrode cement | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ammonium fluoride
Storage conditions
May be stored in iron vessels.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
reacts with acids to produce hydrogen fluoride. Reacts with alkalies, soluble calcium salts to produce ammonia gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Ammonium fluoride reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid, a source of fluoride ions. Unlike other halide ions, the fluoride ion is quite reactive, acting as a weak base and participating in some unique reactions. In particular, fluorides react strongly with compounds containing calcium, magnesium, or silicon ions, which means that solutions containing soluble fluorides are corrosive to both living tissue and glass. Hydrofluoric acid can cause severe chemical burns and is one of the few materials that can etch glass. It is also a toxic gas in its anhydrous form.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ammonium fluoride in the storage compatibility matrix →