The Reactivity of Fluorine

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 20 (2015) pp 260-264

The Reactivity of Fluorine

Roland K. Pomeroy*

Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada, pomeroy@sfu.ca
Received June 15, 2015. Accepted August 5, 2015.

Published: 25 September 2015

Abstract. Simple molecular orbital theory is combined with Fukui’s frontier orbital concept to provide insights into the reactivity of fluorine (F₂). Arguments are presented to show that the extreme reactivity of F₂ is best attributed to the occupancy of high energy p* molecular orbitals that weaken the FF bond (ground-state destabilization) and provide a low activation energy to reaction of F₂ with elements and small molecules (transition-state stabilization).

Key Words: In the Classroom; inorganic chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: pomeroy@sfu.ca )

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