Substance profile
Fluorine
Fluorine is a pale yellow, diatomic gas or liquid with a sharp penetrating odor.
01 · Identification
What Fluorine is
Fluorine is a pale yellow, diatomic gas or liquid with a sharp penetrating odor. Its molecular formula is F2 and its molecular weight is 37.997 g/mol. It boils at -188 °C, melts at -220 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as reactive agents - 4th degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H270 | May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P331
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Fluorine properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -188.13 °C (-306.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -188.33 °C (-307 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -188.11 °C (-306.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -219.67 °C (-363.4 °F) | triple point | HSDB |
| -219.44 °C (-363 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -219.61 °C (-363.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.0017 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1.553 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 1.5127 g/cm³ | at -188.13 °C, liquid | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Reacts | NIOSH | |
| Decomposes in water | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Soluble in water with decomposition, forming hydrofluoric acid. | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 760 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 5000000 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 760 mmHg | above this value | NIOSH | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Nonflammable Gas, but an extremely strong oxidizer. | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 1.695 (air = 1) | Air = 1.29 | HSDB |
| 1.695 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 1.3 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.035 ppm | HSDB | |
| 0.14 ppm | HSDB | ||
| Low odor threshold= 6.0 mg/cu m, High odor threshold= 6.0 mg/cu m, Irritating concn= 50.0 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | -129 °C (-200.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive gas | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Fluorine
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
... It reacts violently with a wide range of both organic and inorganic compounds and thus is a dangerous fire and explosion risk in contact with such materials.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Fluorine
Storage conditions
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Isolate from all other storage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizer. Reacts with every known element except, helium, neon, argon. Reacts with all materials except for some Teflons and some metals at low temperatures. Water reactive. Reacts with water to form hydrogen fluoride and oxygen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Fluorine in the storage compatibility matrix →