Ethan Clarke
Plastic is known to be unreactive to acids, and the plastics used for storing acids are especially so. Hydrofluoric acid, for example, is corrosive towards glass but does not affect the plastic bottles it is stored in. This is because plastic is extremely non-polar, and hydrofluoric acid is extremely polar and/or ionic, meaning they have almost nothing in common. As a rule, like dissolves like, so something similar to plastic would be needed to dissolve it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic is extremely non-polar | HF is extremely polar and/or ionic |
| Plastics used for acid storage are especially unreactive | Hydrochloric acid is commonly used for the dissolution of geologic samples |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is non-polar, unlike hydrofluoric acid
The polarity of a molecule refers to the distribution of electrical charge across the molecule. In a polar molecule, there is a charge on one side of the molecule that is not cancelled out, resulting in a region of partial charge. One end is slightly positive, and the other is slightly negative. These molecules tend to stick together and line up in groups, affecting the properties of polar compounds like water.
Non-polar molecules, on the other hand, have an equal distribution of charge. In a non-polar bond, the electrons are shared equally between the atoms. An example of a non-polar molecule is chlorine, which contains two chlorine atoms. The electronegativity difference between the two atoms is zero, resulting in a non-polar bond.
Plastic is considered a non-polar substance. While some sources debate the polarity of certain types of plastic, such as PLA, due to the presence of polar ester groups in its structure, it is generally accepted that plastic is non-polar. This is because the non-polar properties of plastic can be attributed to its long hydrocarbon chains, which are hydrophobic and do not interact strongly with polar molecules.
Hydrofluoric acid (HF), on the other hand, is a polar molecule. The large electronegativity difference between hydrogen and fluorine results in a bent, non-symmetrical shape of the molecule. This shape causes more electrons to be attracted to the fluorine atom, resulting in a net negative charge on one side of the molecule.
The difference in polarity between plastic and hydrofluoric acid is a key reason why they do not react with each other. The principle of "like dissolves like" states that polar solvents tend to dissolve polar solutes, while non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes. Since plastic and hydrofluoric acid have different polarities, they do not have a strong affinity for each other, and thus do not react. This principle also explains why hydrofluoric acid can dissolve polar substances like glass and ceramics but does not affect non-polar plastic.
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Plastic is more similar to flesh, which hydrofluoric acid doesn't dissolve
Plastic is known to be resistant to hydrofluoric acid. This is because plastic is extremely non-polar, while HF is extremely polar and/or ionic. The principle of "like dissolves like" applies here, meaning that substances with similar properties tend to dissolve in each other. Since plastic and HF are very different, they do not react.
It is worth noting that HF is a weak acid that primarily reacts through the release of fluoride ions rather than by donating many protons. While HF is corrosive to glass and ceramics, it does not have the same effect on flesh or plastic. In popular culture, HF has been portrayed as a quick and effective means of disposing of bodies, as seen in the TV show "Breaking Bad." However, in reality, HF is not capable of dissolving flesh instantaneously.
Although HF does not dissolve flesh in the same way as depicted in fiction, it is still highly toxic and can cause severe chemical burns. Its toxicity is due to its ability to interfere with the body's regulation of ions, such as calcium. While it may not completely dissolve flesh, it can cause significant damage and deterioration over time.
Plastic, being more durable than flesh, is even less likely to be affected by HF. This further emphasizes the point that HF is not as aggressive towards organic materials as often portrayed. The relative inertness of plastic towards HF is a testament to its stability and non-reactivity, making it suitable for storing corrosive substances.
In summary, plastic and flesh have different properties, and HF's reactivity towards them is not as dramatic as sometimes portrayed. The principle of "like dissolves like" highlights that substances with similar characteristics tend to dissolve each other, and HF's polarity differs significantly from plastic. While HF is corrosive, its effects on flesh and plastic are not as instantaneous or comprehensive as often believed.
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Hydrofluoric acid is corrosive to glass, but not plastic
Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive substance capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides. It has been known to dissolve glass since the 17th century. In fact, it is used in the semiconductor industry to clean silicon wafers and etch glass. It is also used to polish and frost glass. Due to its high reactivity with glass, hydrofluoric acid is typically stored in fluorinated plastic containers, often made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, or Teflon). PTFE is slightly permeable to hydrofluoric acid, but it is still a much better option than glass.
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a colourless, non-flammable gas that is often produced during the paper-making process. It is highly corrosive and toxic, and is considered a hazardous air pollutant by the EPA. It is also a powerful contact poison, capable of causing deep, initially painless burns and tissue death. It can penetrate tissue, so poisoning can occur through exposure to skin or eyes, inhalation, or ingestion.
Hydrogen fluoride gas can be dissolved in water to create hydrofluoric acid. In dilute aqueous solution, hydrogen fluoride behaves as a weak acid. This is due to the strength of the hydrogen-fluorine bond, which combines with the high dissolution enthalpy of HF to outweigh the negative enthalpy of hydration of the fluoride ion. At high concentrations, HF molecules undergo homoassociation to form polyatomic ions and protons, increasing the acidity significantly.
Despite its corrosiveness, hydrofluoric acid does not react with plastic. This is because, when attacking certain materials like copper, hydrofluoric acid produces a protective layer that blocks further attack. This is likely what happens when hydrofluoric acid comes into contact with plastic.
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Hydrochloric acid is a weak reducing agent
Although hydrochloric acid is a strong mineral acid, it is a non-oxidizing acid that exhibits weak reducing properties. This means that it is not a strong oxidizing agent, and therefore, it does not readily react with many substances, including some plastics.
Hydrochloric acid, often abbreviated as HCl, is a potent chemical compound with a diverse range of applications in various industries. It is a solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas dissolved in water, forming a clear and colorless solution. Despite being a strong acid, hydrochloric acid is relatively safe to handle and is one of the least hazardous of the strong acids.
As a weak reducing agent, hydrochloric acid can participate in redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, where it donates electrons to other substances. This property is valuable in chemical synthesis and industrial processes. For example, it can react with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to reduce it to manganese dioxide (MnO2) while itself being oxidized:
> 8 HCl + 2 KMnO4 → 2 MnO2 + 2 KCl + 5 Cl2 + 4 H2O
In addition, hydrochloric acid is an effective solvent for certain metal oxides, basic compounds, and organometallic compounds. However, it is not typically used for digesting organic materials due to its non-oxidizing nature.
The weak reducing properties of hydrochloric acid are also evident in its interaction with metals. For example, copper, a relatively unreactive metal, does not react with concentrated hydrochloric acid. On the other hand, dilute nitric acid can oxidize copper to Cu2+ ions, demonstrating the selective nature of hydrochloric acid's reducing capabilities.
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Plastics used for acid storage are especially unreactive
Plastics are generally unreactive to acids. The plastics used for storing acids are especially unreactive. For example, hydrofluoric acid, despite being highly corrosive, is unable to dissolve plastic. This is because plastic is extremely non-polar, while hydrofluoric acid is extremely polar and/or ionic. As a rule, "like dissolves like", meaning that substances tend to dissolve other similar substances. Therefore, since plastic and hydrofluoric acid have almost nothing in common, the latter is unable to dissolve the former.
Hydrofluoric acid is capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides. It can even dissolve glass and ceramic. However, it does not react with plastic. This is why hydrofluoric acid is often stored in plastic containers, despite being corrosive towards a wide range of other materials.
Other types of acids also do not react with plastic. For example, hydrochloric acid does not dissolve plastic. Metals, on the other hand, react readily with hydrochloric acid, so they are not used to store this acid. Glass also does not react with hydrochloric acid.
The unreactiveness of plastics to acids is an important property that makes them suitable for storing acids and other corrosive substances. This property of plastics prevents them from being dissolved or degraded by the acids they are designed to contain.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are generally unreactive to acids, and the plastics used for acid storage are especially so.
Hydrofluoric acid is extremely polar and/or ionic, while plastic is extremely non-polar. As a rule, "like dissolves like", so something similar to plastic would be needed to dissolve it.
Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive and capable of dissolving many materials, especially oxides. It can dissolve metal, rock, glass, and ceramic.
Hydrofluoric acid can cause deep, initially painless burns and tissue death. It can also cause systemic toxicity and cardiac arrest by interfering with the body's calcium metabolism.
