Tin(IV) fluoride (SnF₄) is an inorganic compound that exists as a white, hygroscopic solid. It is a strong Lewis acid and a powerful fluorinating agent. Its structure in the solid state is polymeric, consisting of octahedral tin centers linked by bridging fluoride ions. The primary industrial application of tin(IV) fluoride is in the field of surface modification and functional coatings. It is a key precursor for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of tin oxide (SnO₂) thin films, which are widely used as transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) in applications such as solar cells, flat-panel displays, and low-emissivity glass coatings. Furthermore, SnF₄ is utilized in the preparation of fluorinated tin-based materials and as a component in certain types of glass and ceramic compositions to modify their optical and electrical properties. In synthetic chemistry, tin(IV) fluoride serves as a specialized fluorination reagent. It is employed to introduce fluorine atoms into organic and inorganic substrates, particularly in reactions where milder or more selective fluorination conditions are required compared to other aggressive fluorinating agents. It must be handled with care due to its reactivity with moisture, which generates hydrofluoric acid, and its corrosive nature.