Fluorine chemistry at the millennium

In this “perspective” paper, some of the landmark discoveries and accomplishments of the past within the field of fluorine chemistry will be reviewed. Within this review, the dramatic changes (and growth in size and diversity) that the field has undergone, particularly over the last 50 years, will also be discussed. Then finally, where fluorine chemistry is and where it appears to be going will be briefly discussed. The future of fluorine chemistry indeed appears bright, with fluorine chemistry set to play a role, and usually a significant role in most important areas of technology of the 21st century. New perspectives will be required, but then, fluorine chemists have been providing such “new perspectives” to this ever-changing field for the last 75 years.