Reactions of Fluorine

Because of its reactivity, elemental fluorine is never found in nature and no other chemical element can displace fluorine from its compounds. Fluorine bonds with almost any element, both metals and nonmetals, because it is a very strong oxidizing agent.  It is very unstable and reactive since it is so close to its ideal electron configuration. It forms covalent bonds with nonmetals, and since it is the most electronegative element, is always going to be the element that is reduced. It can also form a diatomic element with itself (F₂), or covalent bonds where it oxidizes other halogens (ClF, ClF₃, ClF₅). It will react explosively with many elements and compounds such as Hydrogen and water. Elemental Fluorine is slightly basic, which means that when it reacts with water it forms OH−.

When combined with Hydrogen, Fluorine forms Hydrofluoric acid (HF), which is a weak acid. This acid is very dangerous and when dissociated can cause severe damage to the body because while it may not be painful initially, it passes through tissues quickly  and can cause deep burns that interfere with nerve function. 

There are also some organic compounds made of Fluorine, ranging from nontoxic to highly toxic. Fluorine forms covalent bonds with Carbon, which sometimes form into stable aromatic rings. When Carbon reacts with Fluorine the reaction is complex and forms a mixture of CF₄, C₂F₆, an C₅F₁₂.

Fluorine reacts with Oxygen to form OF2 because Fluorine is more electronegative than Oxygen. The reaction goes:

Fluorine is so electronegative that sometimes it will even form molecules with noble gases like Xenon, such as the the molecule Xenon Difluoride, XeF₂.

Fluorine also forms strong ionic compounds with metals. Some common ionic reactions of Fluorine are: