Fluorohalogenoalkanes

• The most common?halogenoalkanes?are?chlorofluorocarbons?(CFCs)
• These compounds contain carbon atoms with chlorine and fluorine atoms attached to them
  • E.g. CCl3F and CCl2F2

   

• CFCs have many uses due to their?chemical inertness?as they are?non-flammable?and?non-toxic
  • They are used as refrigerators
  • Propellants for aerosols
  • As solvents for dry cleaning

   

Hydrofluorocarbons

• Hydrofluorocarbons?(HFCs) are compounds that contain a carbon attached to hydrogen and fluorine atoms only
  • Eg. CH2F-CF3

   

• As with CFCs, HFCs are chemically inert and are therefore used for a wide range of purposes

• Though?chlorofluorocarbons?(CFCs) have many beneficial uses, they also have devastating effects on the ozone layer:
  • CFCs absorb a lot of UV radiation in the upper atmosphere
  • The CFCs are then broken down by the UV light causing the formation of chlorine radicals
  • These radicals react with ozone and break down the ozone layer

   

• This is why?hydrofluorocarbons?(HFCs) are often used as an alternative to CFCs
• As these compounds don’t contain any chlorine atoms, they will not have adverse effects on the?ozone layer

Chlorine radicals and the ozone layer