Fluorine

Fluorine is the most reactive element of the halogens. It is so reactive that it will combine directly with all the other elements (except the noble gases) to form fluorides. This is partly due to the fact that it is the most electronegative lement and can therefore attrack electrons to itself more effectively than any other element. In addition to this, the Fluorine atom is very small in size, thus leading to short intermolecular distances in the F2 molecule. As a result there is a strong repulsion force between the non-bonding electrons. This is also why the Fluorine molecule is very easy to break up.

However, due to its very reactive character, Fluorine forms very stable compounds. In fact, due to its small size ionic fluorides have high lattice energies. Furthermore, this element is one of the few which can form hydrogen bonds. This causes hydrogen fluoride to have the highest boiling point of the hydrogen halides due to the H-bonds, which appraoch the strength of covalent bonds.

Test for Fluorine:

• Fluorine is an excellent oxidising agent. As a result, Fluorine will bleach litmus paper very rapidly.

Uses of Fluorine:

• Manufacture of fluorocarbons: Fluorine is extensively used in the production of this substance which is then used to manufacture a variety of things such as non-stick coatings for saucepans, aersol poellants and refrigerator coolants.
• Nuclear energy: This element forms a very volatile compound called uranium hexafluoride, which is used to separate uranium isotopes by gaseous diffusion. The seperated uranium can then be used in the nuclear power plants.

Further Information:

• The Halogens
• Chlorine
• Bromine
• Iodine
• Astatine
•