Abstract

The introduction briefly covers the history of organic fluorine compounds along with an overview of their commercial impact founded in special chemical properties imparted by the CF bond. Various important synthetic fluorination methods are discussed with an emphasis on global commercial processes, the corresponding plant sites and their production capacities. The changing global marketplace is discussed as CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) use is banned and their replacements are being commercialized. Specific chemicals are shown as examples of the dependence and the diversity of organic fluorine compounds within our environment. A summary of safe handling aspects is characterized by a wide range of biological activity and inactivity offered by the examples of this interesting group of chemicals. A bibliography and general reading suggestions complete the subject with the literature search covering information through March, 2004.