Definition and Uses :
Sodium bifluoride is an inorganic compound with the formula NaHF2. It is a salt of the sodium cation (Na +) and the bifluoride anion (HF2-). It is a white, water-soluble solid that decomposes with heat. Sodium bifluoride is non-flammable, hygroscopic and has a pungent odor. Sodium bifluoride has a number of applications in industry.
Sodium bifluoride breaks down into hydrofluoric acid and sodium fluoride:
NaHF2 ⇌ HF + NaF
The reverse of this reaction is used to remove HF, the elemental fluorine (F2) produced by electrolysis. This equilibrium is evident when the salt is melted and the solid is heated. The characteristic of other bifluorides is that they react with acids to give HF. An example is the reaction with bisulfate to form sodium sulfate and hydrogen fluoride.