Catalytic decomposition of CFCs

If the transition between the utilisation of CFCs and their alternatives is to be managed successfully, there must be a strategy for dealing with the stocks of the former that are collected by their erstwhile manufacturers. This implies either that CFCs can be decomposed without harm to the environment, or that they can be used as feedstocks for other chemical processes. These aspects have not received so much public attention as syntheses of new compounds but there is a growing interest, particularly in Japan, in developing heterogeneous catalysts that will be effective for conversion of CFCs into other chemical species. 

H2O co-feed rapid deactivation [81] EtOH co-feed partially oxygenated products in addition to CO + CO2 [82] butane co-feed reactions commence 723 K reactivity decreases with increasing F content slow deactivation [83] 

A more radical approach is to use unwanted stocks of CFCs to prepare useful reagents and an example of this is provided by the catalytic synthesis of HCN from CCI2F2 (CFC-12) and NH3. Nickel titanate, Ni, Fe or Co metals, platinum metals or gold supported on LaFa, AIF3 or activated charcoal, are all possible catalysts, conversion and selectivity for HCN depending on the catalyst used [84]. Reactions occur in the temperature range 600-800 K. 

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