hydrogen fluoride

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a highly corrosive chemical compound composed of hydrogen and fluorine. It exists as a colorless gas or liquid at room temperature and is widely used in industrial processes. When dissolved in water, it forms hydrofluoric acid (HF(aq)), which is also highly corrosive but behaves as a weak acid due to incomplete dissociation in water[8][2]. Industrially, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is more common than its aqueous solution. Major uses include the production of refrigerants (such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons), herbicides, pharmaceuticals (e.g., fluoxetine), high-octane gasoline via alkylation catalysis in oil refineries, aluminum production through electrolysis of cryolite derived from HF, plastics manufacturing (including Teflon), electrical components fabrication, glass etching and cleaning agents for metals[1][2][3]. In dentistry and some consumer products like rust removers or stain removers for cars or household surfaces containing diluted hydrofluoric acid are available; however these require careful handling due to toxicity risks even at low concentrations[3][7]. The mechanism by which HF causes tissue damage involves penetration into deep tissues where it dissociates into fluoride ions that bind calcium/magnesium leading to cell death—this makes it especially dangerous upon skin contact despite sometimes being called a "weak" acid because its effects are not limited by surface exposure alone but rather systemic toxicity once absorbed through skin/mucous membranes.

Brand names

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Other names

hydrofluoric acidfluorure d'hydrogèneFluorwasserstoffHydrogenfluorid