F
18.998Fluorine
Flor
Fluorine is a pale yellow halogen gas and the most electronegative chemical element. It is extremely reactive and is important in fluorides, fluoropolymers such as PTFE, uranium hexafluoride, dental chemistry and PET imaging.
9
18.998 g/mol
[He] 2s² 2p⁵
2 | 7
3.98
1.55e-3 g/cm³
-219.7 °C
-188.1 °C
Henri Moissan
Fluorine was isolated by Henri Moissan in 1886 after many difficult and dangerous attempts by earlier chemists. Its name is related to fluorspar, a mineral containing calcium fluoride.
Fluorine-19
Natural abundance: 100%. The only stable naturally occurring isotope of fluorine.Fluorine-18
Natural abundance: Synthetic. Half-life: About 110 minutes. Radioactive isotope used in PET imaging.HF
Hydrogen FluorideUsed to produce hydrofluoric acid for glass etching and fluorine chemistry.NaF
Sodium FluorideUsed in dental products and water fluoridation in controlled amounts.CaF₂
Calcium FluorideNatural mineral fluorite used as a source of fluorine compounds.SF₆
Sulfur HexafluorideElectrical insulating gas with a very high global warming potential.PTFE
PolytetrafluoroethyleneFluoropolymer used in non-stick coatings and chemically resistant materials.UF₆
Uranium HexafluorideUsed in uranium enrichment processes.- Fluoride compounds in toothpaste and dental health applications
- PTFE and other fluoropolymers used in non-stick and chemical-resistant materials
- Uranium hexafluoride for uranium enrichment
- Hydrofluoric acid for glass etching and industrial chemistry
- Fluorine-18 radiotracers for PET medical imaging
Elemental fluorine has no biological role and is highly toxic. Fluoride ions in controlled amounts help protect tooth enamel, while excessive fluoride exposure can be harmful.
- Fluorine is the most electronegative element.
- Fluorine reacts with many substances very vigorously.
- Hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid by dissociation, but it is highly dangerous because fluoride can penetrate tissue and bind calcium ions.
- Fluoride and fluorine are not the same: fluoride is the ion F⁻, while fluorine is the element.
- Fluorine has atomic number 9 and belongs to group 17.
- Its electron configuration is [He] 2s² 2p⁵.
- Fluorine has seven valence electrons and commonly forms F⁻.
What is the atomic number of fluorine?
The atomic number of fluorine is 9.
What is the electron configuration of fluorine?
Fluorine has the electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p⁵.
Why is fluorine important?
Fluorine is important in fluoride dental chemistry, fluoropolymers, uranium hexafluoride, hydrofluoric acid and PET imaging isotopes.
Is fluorine the most electronegative element?
Yes. Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the Pauling scale.
What is the difference between fluorine and fluoride?
Fluorine is the chemical element, while fluoride is the F⁻ ion found in many salts and dental products.
Why is hydrofluoric acid dangerous?
Hydrofluoric acid is dangerous because fluoride can penetrate tissue and bind calcium ions, even though HF is weakly dissociated in water.