fluorine [F]
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Introduction
From the Latin fluere meaning flow. First identified in 1771 by Karl W Scheele. First isolated in 1886 by French chemist F Henri Moissan*
* awarded Nobel prize in chemistry in 1906
Occurrence
- found in fluorspar, cryolite & other minerals
Characteristics
- nonmetallic halogen element
- isolated as a yellowish flammable irritating toxic corrosive diatomic gas with characteristic odor
- most reactive element
- reacts with nearly all substances
- reacts with water to produce oxygen & ozone
Uses
- essential trace element for mammals
- flourine & its compounds are used in
- producing uranium
- > 100 commercial fluorochemicals
- fluorocarbons were used in air-conditioning, but have been phased out after it was discovered that they damaged the earth's ozone layer