Fluorine
Fluorine is the ninth element, with an atomic mass of 18.99840 amu and electron levels of
2-7. It is the most reactive of all the elements, and has a valence of -1. Fluorine is the niftiest
halogen. F was discovered in 1886 by Henri Moisson of France. It is a gas that melts at 53.55 K, and boils at 85.0 K. F is found chiefly in the mineral fluorospar (CaF2) and cryolite (Na2AlF6). It is a pale
yellow, corrosive gas, and reacts with almost all substances, whether organic or inorganic. It is suggested
that F can be substituted for H in organic compounds. Fluorides of the noble gases xenon, radon, and krypton have
been reported. Elemental F and F ions are highly toxic. F can be detected at 20 ppb, and the maximum allowable
concentration is 0.1ppm.
F's electron configuration is 1s22s2p5.
F's electronegativity is 3.98, making it the most electronegative element.
At STP, F has a density of 1.696 g/L.
June 18, 1997, updated August 7, 1998
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