Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Potassium fluoroborate reaction
roXefeller
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 463
Registered: 9-9-2013
Location: 13 Colonies
Member Is Offline

Mood: 220 221 whatever it takes

[*] posted on 15-2-2014 at 14:30
Potassium fluoroborate reaction


I'm trying to work out the numbers for thermodynamic likelihood of KBF4 + H2SO4 ---> BF3 + HF + KHSO4. At standard temps here is what I have for deltaGo:
KBF4: -1784.9 kJ/mol
H2SO4: -690 kJ/mol
BF3: -1119.4 kJ/mol
HF: -275.4 kJ/mol
KHSO4: -1031.3 kJ/mol
( -1031.3 + -275.4 + -1119.4 )-(-1784.9 + -690) = 48.8kJ/mol , unfavorable.

I got these from the CRC handbook. Where am I going wrong with this? Is it because the energies for BF3 and HF are gas phase when they would likely be in solution? I checked what effect increased temp would have, but it didn't show an improvement at reasonable temperatures (<373K).
View user's profile View All Posts By User
blogfast25
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 10562
Registered: 3-2-2008
Location: Neverland
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 07:56


No, assuming the values for BF3 and HF are for gases at STP, then the value for:

KBF4(s) + H2SO4(l) ---> BF3(g) + HF(g) + KHSO4(s)

of + 48.8 kJ/mol is correct.

But would you carry this out as solid (KBF4)/liquid (pure H2SO4) or in a solution? Solvated the calculation becomes quite different because the starting values used would not apply.

How about looking at:

2 KBF4(s) + H2SO4(l) === > 2 BF3(g) + 2 HF(g) + K2SO4(s)

Edit: thinking about it, these reactions would be the displacement of one strong acid with another, not expected to be highly favourable. But since as you're removing volatile reaction products, you'd be pushing the equilibrium to the right anyway. It's similar to the displacement of HCl in NaCl + H2SO4 reactions: the HCl leaves thus making the reaction possible.


[Edited on 16-2-2014 by blogfast25]




View user's profile View All Posts By User
roXefeller
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 463
Registered: 9-9-2013
Location: 13 Colonies
Member Is Offline

Mood: 220 221 whatever it takes

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 11:49


If I were to carry it out ... I'm not sure. It seems like a difficult one to execute. Separating the HF from the BF3 in the gas products would prove difficult. The KBF4 isn't terribly soluble in much at ambient temperatures. In solution, perhaps diethyl ether could be used to capture the gases and leave a BF3 etherate. Both are soluble in ether though, leaving purification difficult. Perhap using boron trioxide to convert the HF over, but would the resulting H2O (B2O3 + 6HF-->2BF3 + 3H2O) decompose the BF3 or scuttle away to the H2SO4 layer?

I looked at the full neutralization to K2SO4, but it wasn't any more favorable. It was +148.8kJ/mol at ambient, and elevated temperatures seems dangerous for such chemicals. Strangely enough though, HF is weaker than HCl, and is the only halide acid that doesn't fully dissociate. So how would that change things?

How is the solvation effect quantified in this analysis? Is it just a matter of appropriating the solvated standard energies? I haven't been able to find this, though it may be a matter of search terms.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
plante1999
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1936
Registered: 27-12-2010
Member Is Offline

Mood: Mad as a hatter

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 12:11


Simply heating the tetrafluoroborate will realease the boron trifluoride.



I never asked for this.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
blogfast25
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 10562
Registered: 3-2-2008
Location: Neverland
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 16-2-2014 at 12:41


Quote: Originally posted by roXefeller  
How is the solvation effect quantified in this analysis? Is it just a matter of appropriating the solvated standard energies? I haven't been able to find this, though it may be a matter of search terms.


Yes, you should find values for standard G for solvated species like BF<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>. In the CRC I think.

But Plante is right, KBF4 should undergo pyrolysis:

KBF4(s) === > KF(s) + BF3(g), thermodynamically favourable or not because the BF3 leaves the reaction mix. Not sure about temperatures though. At least 700 C I would think...




View user's profile View All Posts By User
chornedsnorkack
National Hazard
****




Posts: 541
Registered: 16-2-2012
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 24-2-2014 at 01:29


Quote: Originally posted by roXefeller  
If I were to carry it out ... I'm not sure. It seems like a difficult one to execute. Separating the HF from the BF3 in the gas products would prove difficult.


Boiling point as pure liquids:
HF - +19 Celsius
BF3 - -100 Celsius.

What is the full phase diagram? Presumably some higher boiling azeotrope?
View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top