my-server
← Wiki

Lead(II) fluoride

Lead(II) fluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula PbF<sub>2</sub>. It is a white solid. The compound is polymorphic, at ambient temperatures it exists in orthorhombic (PbCl<sub>2</sub> type) form, while at high temperatures it is cubic (Fluorite type).

Preparation

Lead(II) fluoride can be prepared by treating lead(II) hydroxide or lead(II) carbonate with hydrofluoric acid:

Pb(OH)<sub>2</sub> + 2 HF → PbF<sub>2</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O

Alternatively, it is precipitated by adding hydrofluoric acid to a lead(II) salt solution, or by adding a fluoride salt to a lead salt, such as potassium fluoride to a lead(II) nitrate solution,

2 KF + Pb(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> → PbF<sub>2</sub> + 2 KNO<sub>3</sub>

or sodium fluoride to a lead(II) acetate solution.

2 NaF + Pb(CH<sub>3</sub>COO)<sub>2</sub> → PbF<sub>2</sub> + 2 NaCH<sub>3</sub>COO

It appears as the very rare mineral fluorocronite.

Uses

Lead(II) fluoride is used in low melting glasses, in glass coatings to reflect infrared rays, in phosphors for television-tube screens, and as a catalyst for the manufacture of picoline. The Muon g−2 experiment uses crystals in conjunction with silicon photomultipliers. High energy charged particles create Cerenkov light as they pass through the crystals, which is measured by the silicon photomultipliers.

It also serves as an oxygen scavenger in high-temperature fluorine chemistry, as plumbous oxide is relatively volatile.

References