Potassium hexafluorophosphate

Potassium hexafluorophosphate

IUPAC name	Potassium hexafluorophosphate
Identifiers
CAS number	17084-13-8
Properties
Molecular formula	F₆KP
Molar mass	184.06
Appearance	colourless solid
Density	2.75 g/mL
Melting point	575 °C
Solubility in water	0.432M (25 °C)
Hazards
Main hazards	toxic
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Potassium hexafluorophosphate is the chemical compound with the formula KPF₆. This colourless salt consists of potassium cations and hexafluorophosphate anions. It is prepared by the reaction: ^[1]

PCl₅ + KCl + 6 HF → KPF₆ + 6 HCl

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This exothermic reaction is conducted in liquid hydrogen fluoride. The salt is stable in hot alkaline aqueous solution, from which it can be recrystallized. The sodium and ammonium salts are more soluble in water whereas the rubidium and caesium salts are less so.

KPF₆ is a common laboratory source of the hexafluorophosphate anion, used to confer lipophilicity to certain salts.