Reactions/Uses

•  Fire Retardants

• Propellants in Aerosols

• Refrigerants 

•  Foam Blowing Agents

• Cleaners for Computers

Freon was more important until around 1993 three when production was slowed and finally halted in 1995 due to EPA regulation in this country because of its depletion of the ozone.

When Freon reaches the ozone layer in the stratosphere it does not directly react with the ozone.  However, at times the Freon Molecule will encounter ultraviolet radiation.  The ultraviolet radiation knocks away a chlorine atom from the Freon atom.  The chlorine bonds with an oxygen in the ozone to make ClO and O₂. 

Freon 11 is manufactured by combining carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) and using (SbCl5) as a catalyst in the reaction. 

 Production Equipment