White Crystal or crystalline powder
Bismuth fluoride is a heavy, white (gray if impure) crystalline powder, practically insoluble in water. M.p. 725-730°C; d. 8.3. Cubic (dimorphous).
Bismuth fluoride is used in the manufacturing of bismuth pentafluoride. It is an attractive reagent and catalyst in organic synthesis owing to its low cost, and ease of handling. It is also used in polarography.
In the preparation of bismuth pentafluoride, q.v.
The preparation method of Bismuth fluoride: Freshly precipitated bismuth hydroxide is evaporated to dryness several times in a Pt dish, using an excess of hydrofluoric acid. It is then calcined in a covered Pt crucible until the HF has completely evaporated.
