Fluorine: the T rex of the periodic table
Pass out the nickel superalloy reactor kit, it’s time to tame that most reactive of elements
Our lives in the laboratory are seemingly defined by simple borosilicate glass. There are glass flasks, glass columns and glass condensers. It’s gorgeous: a brilliant and transparent material that feels good to the touch and allows you to see your reaction and enjoy its colours. High temperatures? No problem. Low pH? Not an issue. 50% sodium hydroxide solution? A typical flask will be fine below boiling temperatures.
But every material has a weakness, and for glass, it’s fluoride.