The anomalous nature of fluorine revisited: amazing consequences

This short survey involving fluorine as an atom and as a partner in molecules/ions and its applicability to many fields begins with its discovery by Henri Moissan in 1886, for which the discoverer received the Nobel Prize in 1906, short before his death. Fluorine has an anomalous nature that plays a role in all its interactions. This will be discussed in detail. Perfluorination, as introduced by DuPont and others and then by the Resnati group, will then be discussed. This led to the recognition of myriads of noncovalent interactions, involving not only the larger halogens but other columns of the periodic table. Recent applications of the use of fluorine as a substituent will be discussed.