Fluorinated

Fluorinated refers to chemical species in which fluorine atoms are covalently bonded to another element, most commonly carbon. In organofluorine chemistry, carbon–fluorine bonds are among the strongest in organic chemistry, contributing to chemical and thermal stability, high electronegativity, and distinctive reactivity. Fluorination can modify properties such as lipophilicity, acidity, basicity, metabolic stability, and polarity, often enhancing pharmacokinetic performance or material properties.

Fluorinated compounds span a wide range of classes, including organofluorines (fluoroalkanes and fluoroarenes), perfluorinated polymers (such as PTFE and related materials), and fluorinated inorganic species. Fluoropolymers provide low surface energy, chemical resistance, and high thermal stability, making them valuable in coatings, electronics, and nonstick applications.

Industrially, fluorination is achieved through electrophilic, nucleophilic, or radical methods. Electrophilic fluorination uses reagents like Selectfluor or N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide, while nucleophilic routes employ fluoride sources such as caesium fluoride or tetraalkylammonium fluorides. Deoxyfluorination and modern C–H fluorination strategies enable selective introduction of fluorine into complex molecules. Advances include photoredox- and radical-based approaches and the use of difluorocarbene reagents to install multiple fluorine atoms.

Applications are broad: fluorinated motifs are common in pharmaceutical drugs to tune potency and metabolic stability; they appear in agrochemicals and high-performance fluorinated materials that resist heat, solvents, and wear. Environmental and regulatory considerations focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may persist in the environment and require careful management and remediation.