Detecting Fluoride

[Molotov]

I was just wondering what would be the best way to detect if water contains fluoride or fluoride compounds? Thanks.

[Skye]

The only way I've done it is with ion-selective electrodes.

[budullewraagh]

potentially, you could use a strong oxidizing agent to oxidize fluorides to fluorine gas, although it would not be in your best interest to be anywhere near the evolved gas.

[Gilded]

From what I've understood, fluorine is more dangerous than chlorine, or is it? Since chlorine you can run away from when you start to cough real bad, before really suffering any major damage.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

A stream of flourine will cause rubber to burst into flame.

 

It's that bad.

[budullewraagh]

From what I've understood, fluorine is more dangerous than chlorine, or is it?

fluorine is bloody insane. it will oxidize just about anything....seriously. you cannot oxidize it. it's about 10^192035109257*(value of dangerous-ness of chlorine). chlorine i dont have much of a problem with, but fluorine i will never work with in my basement lab, and would rather not work with in a proper lab.

[jdurg]

You cannot chemically oxidize the fluoride ion into fluorine gas. It just cannot be done, period. That is why fluorine is generated by the electrolysis of a molten fluoride/HF mixture.

 

Fluorine and fluorides are bloody insane in terms of toxicity. People generally don't think that the fluoride ion is all too toxic since it's added to toothpaste and water, but the amount added is fantastically small. In a pool sized container of water, there's maybe a few specs of fluoride salt crystals added to it. The fluoride ion is able to really mess you up, and the gas is up there with cyanide in terms of "kill-you-instantly"ness. A lot of people became really ill and dead when they were first trying to isolate elemental fluorine.

[budullewraagh]

wow, i just realized how stupid i was to mention oxidizing fluoride anions. gah, terrible mental lapse