Editing Halogenation (section)

===Fluorination===
Because of its extreme reactivity, fluorine ({{chem2|F2}}) represents a special category with respect to halogenation.  Most organic compounds, saturated or otherwise, burn upon contact with {{chem2|F2}}, ultimately yielding [[carbon tetrafluoride]]. By contrast, the heavier halogens are far less reactive toward saturated hydrocarbons.

Highly specialised conditions and apparatus are required for fluorinations with elemental [[fluorine]]. Commonly, fluorination reagents are employed instead of {{chem2|F2}}. Such reagents include [[cobalt trifluoride]], [[chlorine trifluoride]], and [[iodine pentafluoride]].<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.a11_307 |chapter=Fluorine Compounds, Inorganic |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |date=2000 |last1=Aigueperse |first1=Jean |last2=Mollard |first2=Paul |last3=Devilliers |first3=Didier |last4=Chemla |first4=Marius |last5=Faron |first5=Robert |last6=Romano |first6=René |last7=Cuer |first7=Jean Pierre |isbn=3-527-30673-0 }}</ref>

The method [[electrochemical fluorination]] is used commercially for the production of [[perfluorinated compound]]s.  It generates small amounts of elemental fluorine [[in situ]] from [[hydrogen fluoride]]. The method avoids the hazards of handling fluorine gas. Many commercially important [[organic compounds]] are fluorinated using this technology.