The strongest bond in organic chemistry allows some man-made molecules to last centuries
The carbon-fluorine bond is so incredibly strong that it allows man-made PFAS chemicals to resist natural decay for centuries, leading to their nickname as 'forever chemicals' in our environment.
The carbon-fluorine bond is the strongest in organic chemistry, boasting a strength of 485 kJ/mol. This molecular resilience makes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) virtually immune to natural processes like biodegradation, photolysis, or hydrolysis. Originally discovered in 1938 as the basis for Teflon, these substances possess unique surfactant properties that reduce surface tension to a mere 18 mN/m, far below water's 72 mN/m.
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