chloro-floro-carbons

Chloro-floro carbons are member of halo alkanes ( or alkyl halides), which belongs to the group of chemical compounds , derived from alkanes, containing one or more halogens. these are generally used as refrigerants, solvents, fire extiguishants, and as pharmaceuticals.

Many haloalkanes, including chloro-floro carbons are considered as the serious pollutants and toxins to the environment. In actual, CFC's are the hydrocarbons, fully halogenated with chlorine and fluorine, and in the presence of sun light, the chloro-floro carbon molecule breaks into chlorine and chlorodifloromethyl redical. i.e.

                                     CCl₂F₂               ----------->        Cl             +            CClF₂

                                 _{dichlorodifloromethane                               chlorine atom}             chlorodifloromethyl redical   

 Now this chlorine atom will react with ozone layer, causing ozone depletion, by converting ozone molecule to oxygen.

                                    Cl         +            O₃       ----------->        ClO           +            O₂

                                       _{chlorine atom                 ozone                            chlorine monoxide                    oxygen}  

_{This depleted ozone phenomena is a serious issue to environment as well as human health considerations. because less ozone means lesser protection towards the highly hazardous ultraviolet sun rays. That's why, a ban was imposed on the use of CFC's . however,} these gases are still found in refrigerators and in some types of foam packaging.

Posted in: chloro-floro-carbons,halo alkanes