Fluorocarbons
Fluorocarbons
Fluorocarbons (pronounced: floor-oh-car-bons) are compounds that contain carbon and fluorine atoms. The term is derived from the Latin fluor, meaning "flow", and carbon, referring to the element carbon.
Definition
Fluorocarbons are types of compounds that are made up of carbon and fluorine atoms. They are characterized by their high stability due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond. This stability makes them resistant to most forms of chemical reaction and degradation, including combustion and biological degradation.
Types of Fluorocarbons
There are several types of fluorocarbons, including:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): These are types of fluorocarbons that also contain chlorine. They were widely used in the past in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, but their production has been largely phased out due to their contribution to ozone depletion.
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): These are fluorocarbons that also contain hydrogen. They are used as replacements for CFCs in many applications.
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): These are fluorocarbons in which all the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine. They are used in a variety of industrial applications, including as heat transfer fluids and as tracers in medical imaging.
Uses
Fluorocarbons have a wide range of uses, including in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, as propellants in aerosol cans, and in the manufacture of electronics. They are also used in medical imaging and as tracers in scientific research.
Environmental Impact
Fluorocarbons have been linked to a number of environmental issues, including ozone depletion and global warming. The production and use of certain types of fluorocarbons, particularly CFCs, has been restricted or phased out under international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fluorocarbons
- Wikipedia's article - Fluorocarbons
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