Question

Which substance can be used to oxidise fluorides to fluorine?

Answer 1

Fluorides cannot be oxidised chemically by any substance because the fluoride ion (F⁻) has a very high standard electrode potential (+2.87 V), making it extremely stable. Therefore, fluorine (F₂) is the strongest oxidising agent and cannot be produced by oxidising F⁻ with any chemical reagent. However, fluorides can be oxidised to fluorine only by electrolysis.