Hydrofluoric acid

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Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive solution of the chemical compound hydrogen fluoride in water. Pure hydrogen fluoride is often called anhydrous hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid. This is because it does not dissociate completely in water due to the relatively high strength of hydrogen-fluorine bonds. Hydrofluoric acid is notoriously known to react with glass (SiO2):

Related Topics:
Solution - Chemical compound - Water - Acid - Glass

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:SiO2(s) + 6 HF(aq) → H2(aq) + 2 H2O(l)

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Consequently, it must be stored in plastic containers, though ideally it should be stored in Teflon bottles. It also has the unique ability to dissolve almost all inorganic oxides. In the human body, hydrofluoric acid reacts with calcium and damages nerves, bone, and several organs including the heart and kidneys.

Related Topics:
Teflon - Oxide - Calcium - Nerve - Bone - Heart - Kidney

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