Aluminum (Al) is a group 13 element, and fluorine (F) is a group 17 element. When these two elements react, aluminum tends to lose three electrons (3+) to achieve a stable electron configuration, while fluorine tends to gain one electron (1-) to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Based on these electronic configurations, the ratio of aluminum to fluorine atoms in the compound will be 1:3. One aluminum atom will combine with three fluorine atoms to form a neutral compound.
The formula for the compound formed between aluminum and fluorine is therefore AlF3, which represents one aluminum atom bonded to three fluorine atoms.
