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Fluorine, with a chemical symbol of F and an atomic number of 9, was discovered by Karl Schedule in 1771 but not isolated until 1886 by Henri Moissan. The world fluorine comes from the Latin word four, meaning, flow. The element is a chemically reactive, poisonous, and highly corrosive Halogen gas that is found in group 17 (or View) of the periodic table. The electron configuration of Fluorine is (He) 2 s 22 p 5. Fluorine is the most chemically active nonmetallic element and the most electronegative of all the elements. Fluorine is a pale, greenish-yellow gas that is slightly heavier than air and contains an unpleasant and sharp odor.
Fluorine, whose atomic mass is 18. 998, melts at 219. 61 C (- 363. 30 F) and boils at 188. 13 C (- 306. 63 F). It has a specific gravity of 1. 51 in its liquid state at its boiling point and its density at 293 K is 1. 696 g/Cm 3. Elemental fluorine and the fluoride ion are highly toxic. The element has a detectable, pungent odor in concentrations as low as 20 ppb, which is below the normal safe working level. It is recommended that the maximum allowable concentration for a daily 8 -hour time-weighted exposure is 1 ppm. Since Fluorine is the most chemically active of the nonmetallic elements, it combines directly with most elements and indirectly with chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Fluorine occurs naturally in the combined form as apatite, cryolite, and fluorite. Favourite, from which most fluorine compounds are derived, is usually mined in the US in Kentucky and Illinois. The element occurs as fluorides in rivers, seawater, mineral springs, and in the bones and teeth of animals. Fluorine is the 17 th element, in order of quantity, in the earths crust. The making of fluorine as a free element is very difficult and seldom done, since it is a very poisonous and reactive element.
Anyhow, fluorine as a gas can be prepared through electrolytic procedures. Liquid fluorine may be prepared by passing the gas through a rubber or metal tube, which is surrounded by liquid air. Hydrofluoric acid (hydrogen fluoride, HF or H 2 F 2), one of the most important fluorine compounds, is produced by heating calcium fluoride in sulfuric acid. Another fluorine compound, hydrofluosilicic acid, combines with bases such as sodium and potassium to form different salts called fluosilicates or silico fluorides. The element fluorine, as well as many fluorides such as hydrogen fluoride and sodium fluoride, are very toxic. Drinking water with too much fluoride in it may cause the tooth enamel to become brittle and to chip off.
Excess fluoride may also form stains on teeth. However, the most proper function of fluoride in drinking water has been found to dramatically reduce tooth decay. The compounds of Fluorine have been found to have many uses. For example, chlorofluorocarbons, odorless and nonpoisonous liquids or gases such as Freon, are used as dispersing agents in aerosol sprays or as refrigerants. However, in 1974, scientists suggested that these chemicals were destroying the earths ozone layer. With proof of these findings in the late 1980 s, production of these chemicals began to be prohibited.
Teflon, another chemical, is a fluorine plastic that is used to make products such as motor gaskets and dashboard accessories in the automobile industry. This chemical is also used as a coating on the inner surface of frying pans. Many of these organic fluorine compounds that have been developed during World War II (1939 - 1945) have showed great commercial potential. For example, the liquid fluorinated hydrocarbons that come from petroleum are useful as lubricating oils. The only unstable compound of uranium, uranium hexafluoride, is used to provide fuel for atomic power plants.
In conclusion, fluorine has dramatically changed our everyday lives; not only where we live in the US, but also in other parts of the world. The many versatile uses of fluorine and its compounds enable us to live our everyday lives. Bibliography:
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