Chlorofluorocarbons and Fluorocarbons

Because of the growing importance of CFCs in environmental chemistry, a basic understanding of the chemistry and uses of this diverse chemical family is necessary. Together they represent a production of over 800 million Ib/yr that, at 1.00/lb, is a large commercial value. 

This industry segment uses common abbreviations and a numbering system for CFCs and related compounds. The original nomenclature 

When some of the chlorines are replaced by hydrogens, CFCs become HCFCs, the now more common nomenclature for those chlorofluorocarbons containing hydrogen. The numbering is the same. When more than one isomer is possible, the most symmetrically substituted compound has only a number letters a and b are added to designate less symmetrical isomers. 

When there is no chlorine and the chemical contains only hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, they are called MFCs. 

Most CFCs are manufactured by combining hydrogen fluoride and either carbon tetrachloride or chloroform. The hydrogen fluoride comes from fluorspar, CaF2, reacting with sulfuric acid. The chlorinated methanes are manufactured from methane. Important reactions in the manufacture of CFC-11 and -12 and HCFC-22 are given in Fig. 12.2. 

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Halocarbon plastic ha-b- kar-b9n- (1950) n. A term fisted by ASTM (D 883) to mean a polymer containing only carbon and one or more halogens. The primary members of the family are the chlorofluorocarbon and fluorocarbon resins. 

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