A chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is an organic compound that contains only carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane, ethane, and propane. They are also commonly known by the DuPont brand name Freon. The most common representative is dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12 or Freon-12). Many CFCs have been widely used as refrigerants, propellants (in aerosol applications), and solvents. The manufacture of such compounds has been phased out under the Montreal Protocol, and are being replaced with products such as HFCs (e.g., R-410A), hydrocarbons, and CO2, because CFCs contribute to ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 09:42:42 +0000