Inspired by his background reading for a lecture course on inorganic fluorine chemistry, Florian Kraus from the Technical University of Munich discovered the story of fetid fluorite and decided to investigate for himself. Simply smashing the samples with a hammer released the smell, which Kraus says is very distinctive and unmistakably fluorine.
They found a peak at ppm that corresponds to the range expected for difluorine. But how does F 2 — the most reactive chemical element — come to be in these rocks? As high-quality synthetic fluorite has been used as optical components in uses such as high-power lasers and space telescopes, it is known that it can be affected by radiation damage.
Beta radiation from uranium and its daughter nuclides strips fluoride anions of their extra electron. The resulting fluorine atom quickly forms a difluoride anion which is highly mobile. The anion loses an electron at a defect and forms difluorine — in some cases bubbles up to nm in size were seen with scanning electron microscopy.
Kraus also hopes that solid-state NMR will be taken up geologists who want to study other minerals with gas inclusions. One chemistry professor received three months for producing the drug in a university lab, while another was acquitted. Crystals of calcium fluoride CaF 2 , also known as fluorite and fluorspar, are used to make lenses to focus infrared light. Fluorine joins with carbon to form a class of compounds known as fluorocarbons. Some of these compounds, such as dichlorodifluoromethane CF 2 Cl 2 , were widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems and in aerosol spray cans, but have been phased out due to the damage they were causing to the earth's ozone layer.
Estimated Crustal Abundance : 5. Number of Stable Isotopes : 1 View all isotope data. Electron Shell Configuration :. Fluorine Previous Isotopes Next. History and Uses : Fluorine is the most reactive of all elements and no chemical substance is capable of freeing fluorine from any of its compounds.
Citation and linking information For questions about this page, please contact Steve Gagnon. For example, hydrofluoric acid is used to etch the glass of light bulbs. Fluorine is a vital element in the nuclear energy industry, according to the Royal Society.
It is used to make uranium hexafluoride, which is needed to separate uranium isotopes. Sulfur hexafluoride is a gas used to insulate high-power electricity transformers. Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs were once used in aerosols, refrigerators, air conditioners, foam food packaging, and fire extinguishers. Those uses have been banned since because they contribute to ozone depletion, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Prior to , CFCs were used in inhalers to control asthma but those types of inhalers were phased out in Fluorine is used in many fluorochemicals, including solvents and high-temperature plastics, such as Teflon poly tetrafluoroethene , PTFE. Teflon is well known for its non-stick properties and is used in frying pans. Fluorine is added to city water supplies in the proportion of about one part per million to help prevent tooth decay, according to the Jefferson Lab.
Several fluoride compounds are added to toothpaste, also to help prevent tooth decay. Although all humans and animals are exposed to and need minute amounts of fluorine, the element in any large enough dose is extremely toxic and dangerous.
According to Lenntech , fluorine can naturally be found in water, air, and both plant and animal-based foods in small amounts. Larger amounts of fluorine are found in a few food products such as tea and shellfish. While small amounts of fluorine are essential for maintaining the strength of our bones and teeth, too much can have the reverse effect of causing osteoporosis or tooth decay, as well has potentially harming the kidneys, nerves, and muscles. In its gaseous form, fluorine is incredibly dangerous.
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