The fluorine atom, by virtue of its electronegativity, size, and bond
strength with carbon, can be used to create compounds with remarkable
properties. Small molecules containing fluorine have many positive
impacts on everyday life of which blood substitutes, pharmaceuticals,
and surface modifiers are only a few examples. Fluoropolymers, too,
while traditionally associated with extreme high performance
applications have found their way into our homes, our clothing, and even
our language. A recent American president was often likened to the
tribology of PTFE. Since the serendipitous discovery of Teflon at the
DuPont Jackson Laboratory in 1938, fluoropolymers have grown steadily in
technological and marketplace importance. New synthetic fluorine
chemistry, new processes, and new apprecia tion of the mechanisms by
which fluorine imparts exceptional properties all contribute to
accelerating growth in fluoropolymers. There are many stories of
harrowing close calls in the fluorine chemistry lab, especially from the
early years, and synthetic challenges at times remain daunting. But,
fortunately, modem techniques and facilities have enabled significant
strides toward taming both the hazards and synthetic uncertainties, In
contrast to past environmental problems associated with fluorocarbon
refrigerants, the exceptional properties of fluorine in polymers have
great environmental value. Some fluoropolymers are enabling green
technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells for automobiles and oxygen
selective membranes for cleaner diesel combustion.
