Fluorine

Fluorine (CAS 7782-41-4), also known as difluorine or diatomic fluorine, is the lightest halogen element and the most electronegative element on the periodic table. It occurs as a pale yellow diatomic gas under standard conditions and is classified within inorganic acids due to its highly reactive acidic chemistry.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, fluorine is used in direct fluorination reactions to introduce fluorine atoms into active pharmaceutical ingredient structures, improving metabolic stability and membrane permeability. In semiconductor fabrication, it serves as a plasma etchant, selectively removing silicon dioxide and silicon nitride layers with high precision during chip production.

Fluorine is supplied in compressed gas cylinders in technical and high-purity grades, with concentrations typically ranging from 5% to 100%. It falls under REACH regulation and is subject to strict handling requirements under EU industrial gas directives. Buyers should confirm grade specification and cylinder compatibility prior to ordering.