Hydrogen fluoride is a
chemical compound with the
chemical formula HF. This colorless gas or liquid is the principal industrial source of
fluorine, often in the
aqueous form as
hydrofluoric acid, and thus is the precursor to many important compounds including pharmaceuticals and polymers (e.g.
Teflon). HF is widely used in the petrochemical industry and is a component of many
superacids. Hydrogen fluoride boils near room temperature, while other
hydrogen halides evaporate at much lower temperatures. Unlike other hydrogen halides, HF is lighter than air and diffuses relatively quickly through porous substances.