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In the realm of chemistry, oxidation numbers or states serve as indispensable tools for understanding how electrons are distributed in a molecule. By assigning an oxidation number to an element within a compound, we're essentially keeping track of the electrons during a reaction. The main takeaway is that the oxidation number represents the charge that an atom would have if the compound was to be divided up, with the shared electrons being assigned to the more electronegative element.

For instance, hydrogen generally has an oxidation number of +1, while oxygen has a standard oxidation number of -2. However, elements can have different oxidation numbers depending on the chemical environment they're in. Indeed, even fluorine, which typically has an oxidation number of -1 due to its high electronegativity, can deviate from this norm under certain conditions, such as when it exists as a diatomic molecule (F₂). In its elemental form, each atom is in a neutral state, hence the oxidation number is 0.

Digging into chemical compounds helps paint a clearer picture of what occurs during chemical reactions. Compounds are substances formed when two or more elements chemically combine in definite proportion by mass. They exhibit unique properties, differing from the individual elements they comprise. An understanding of the way atoms in compounds interact provides insight into the broader rules of chemistry, including oxidation states.

Considering fluorine, its common oxidation state of -1 is found in many compounds, such as hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sodium fluoride (NaF), helping us predict and understand its behavior in chemical reactions. This state indicates it typically gains one electron when forming compounds, achieving a stable electron configuration. However, exceptions occur, like when fluorine is bonded to itself in its elemental form, highlighting the importance of context when evaluating chemical properties.

The concept of electronegativity is a cornerstone in the understanding of chemical bonding. It describes an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when bonded with another atom. Elements with high electronegativity, like fluorine, are more likely to gain electrons in a bond and thus typically carry negative oxidation numbers.

Fluorine holds the crown as the element with the highest electronegativity, clocking in at an impressive 3.98 on the Pauling scale. This unique trait makes it highly reactive and eager to gain electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration, influencing its dominance in the realm of oxidation states. Being the most electronegative element means that it will almost always extract an electron from a bonding partner, thus fluorine almost exclusively displays an oxidation number of -1. This also leads to the rarity of fluorine's oxidation state differing from -1, as there are no elements more electronegative than fluorine to strip electrons away from it.