© Boardworks Ltd 20091 of 5

© Boardworks Ltd 20092 of 5

What are CFCs?

CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbon.

CFCs are a family of compounds that contain only chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms.

Here are some examples:

Dichlorodifluoromethane 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane

CCl2F2 Cl2FC-CClF2

© Boardworks Ltd 20093 of 5

Naming CFCs

© Boardworks Ltd 20094 of 5

What are the properties of CFCs?

CFCs contain strong covalent bonds. This means that they are very inert (unreactive).

CFCs therefore last for a long time in the environment as they don’t decompose or react with other substances easily.

They are also insoluble in water, and have low melting and boiling points.

boiling point: –30°C melting point: –158°C

boiling point: 48°Cmelting point: –35°C

What state are these CFCs at room temperature?

© Boardworks Ltd 20095 of 5

What are CFCs used for?

During the 1930s, an American engineer named Thomas Midgely discovered that CFCs were suitable for use as coolants in refrigerators.

This was a very useful discovery because the refrigerants used previously were toxic compounds like ammonia and sulfur dioxide.

In the 1960s, other uses for CFCs started to be found: as propellants for aerosol cans and to inject bubbles into plastic to make foams for insulation.