Organofluorine chemistry

Organofluorine Chemistry

Organofluorine chemistry (pronunciation: or-ga-no-fluor-ine kem-is-try) is a sub-discipline of chemistry involving the study and application of fluorine compounds, particularly organic compounds containing fluorine. The etymology of the term comes from the Greek words 'organon' meaning tool or instrument, and 'fluorine' which is derived from the Latin 'fluere' meaning to flow.

Overview

Organofluorine chemistry involves the study of the properties, synthesis, and reactions of organofluorine compounds. These compounds are characterized by the presence of a carbon-fluorine bond (C-F bond). The C-F bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, which leads to unique properties in organofluorine compounds, such as high thermal and chemical stability.

History

The history of organofluorine chemistry dates back to the 19th century with the discovery of elemental fluorine. However, the development of this field accelerated in the 20th century with the synthesis of various organofluorine compounds and their applications in different fields such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science.

Applications

Organofluorine compounds have a wide range of applications. They are used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers. Some of the most well-known organofluorine compounds include fluorocarbons, which are used in refrigeration and air conditioning, and fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics.

Related Terms

Fluorocarbons: Compounds that contain carbon and fluorine atoms.
Fluoroquinolones: A class of antibiotics that are a type of organofluorine compound.
C-F bond: The chemical bond between carbon and fluorine atoms in organofluorine compounds.