Freons (CFC)

Freons (CFC)

The chloro fluoro derivatives of methane and ethane are called freons.

Nomenclature

Freon is represented as Freon-cba

Where c = number of carbon atoms – 1

b = number of hydrogen atoms + 1

a = total number of fluorine atoms

Example

Freon – 12 is prepared by the action of hydrogen fluoride on carbon tetrachloride in the presence of catalylic amount of antimony patachloride. This is called swartz reaction

Physical properties

Freons are highly stable, unreactive, non corrosive, non toxic, easily liquefiable gases.

Uses:

i. Freons are a used as refrigerants in refrigerators and air conditioners.

ii. It is used as a propellant for aerosols and foams

iii. It is used as propellant for foams to spray out deodorants, shaving creams, and insecticides.