Potassium hexafluorozirconate is an

inorganic compound An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds⁠that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as ''inorganic chemistry''. Inorgan ...

potassium Potassium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol K (from Neo-Latin ) and atomic number19. It is a silvery white metal that is soft enough to easily cut with a knife. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to ...

fluorine Fluorine is a chemical element; it has Chemical symbol, symbol F and atomic number 9. It is the lightest halogen and exists at Standard temperature and pressure, standard conditions as pale yellow Diatomic molecule, diatomic gas. Fluorine is extre ...

, and

zirconium Zirconium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Zr and atomic number 40. First identified in 1789, isolated in impure form in 1824, and manufactured at scale by 1925, pure zirconium is a lustrous transition metal with a greyis ...

with the chemical formula .

Preparation

Potassium hexafluorozirconate can be prepared from precipitation from solutions: : : Also, in industry, it is obtained by sintering zirconium ore concentrates with at 600–700 °C.

Physical properties

Potassium hexafluorozirconate forms an odorless white crystalline powder. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group ''C 2/c'' (space group No. 15).

Uses

Potassium hexafluorozirconate is used as an intermediate product in the electrolytic production of metallic zirconium. It is also used as a

flame retardant Flame retardants are a diverse group of chemicals that are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics and textiles, and surface finishes and coatings. Flame retardants are activated by the presence of an combustion, ignition source and pr ...

for wool, grain refining agent in magnesium and aluminum alloys, welding flux, and optical glass component.

References

{{Fluorine compounds Zirconium compounds Potassium compounds Fluorine compounds Fluorometallates