Lead(II) fluoride explained

Lead(II) fluoride is the inorganic compound with the formula PbF₂. It is a white solid. The compound is polymorphic, at ambient temperatures it exists in orthorhombic (PbCl₂ type) form, while at high temperatures it is cubic (Fluorite type).^[1]

Preparation

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

Pb(OH)₂ + 2 HF → PbF₂ + 2 H₂O

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]

2 KF + Pb(NO₃)₂ → PbF₂ + 2 KNO₃or sodium fluoride to a lead(II) acetate solution.

2 NaF + Pb(CH₃COO)₂ → PbF₂ + 2 NaCH₃COO

It appears as the very rare mineral fluorocronite.^{[3] [4]}

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 scintillators in conjunction with silicon photomultipliers.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Haines . J. . Léger . J. M. . Schulte . O. . High-pressure isosymmetric phase transition in orthorhombic lead fluoride . Physical Review B . American Physical Society (APS) . 57 . 13 . 1998-04-01 . 0163-1829 . 10.1103/physrevb.57.7551 . 7551–7555. 1998PhRvB..57.7551H .
2. Arnold Hollemann, Egon Wiberg, 101st ed., de Gruyter 1995 Berlin;
3. Web site: Fluorocronite.
4. Web site: List of Minerals. 21 March 2011.
5. Grange . J. . 1 . Muon g−2 Collaboration . Guarino . V. . Winter . P. . Wood . K. . Zhao . H. . Carey . R. M. . Gastler . D. . Hazen . E. . Kinnaird . N. . Jan 27, 2015 . Muon (g−2) Technical Design Report . 1501.06858 . 2015arXiv150106858G . Via inSPIRE