Halocarbon
A halocarbon is an organic compound containing carbon and at least one halogen atom: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.
Halogen: A group 17 chemical element, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. Halogens are the elements whose presence defines a halocarbon.
Refrigerant: A substance that transfers heat in a refrigeration cycle by evaporating and condensing. Many halocarbons have served as refrigerants because their physical properties suit vapor-compression systems.
Ozone depletion: The reduction of stratospheric ozone caused chiefly by catalytic reactions involving chlorine and bromine. Some halocarbons release these atoms in the stratosphere, where they destroy ozone.
Chlorofluorocarbon: A halocarbon containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, often used historically as a refrigerant or propellant. CFCs are a well-known halocarbon family associated with stratospheric ozone depletion.
Carbon–halogen bond: A covalent bond between a carbon atom and a halogen atom. This bond is the defining structural feature of halocarbons.
Solvent: A substance that dissolves another substance to form a solution. Some halocarbons dissolve oils and other materials and have been used as industrial solvents.
Global warming potential: A measure comparing the heat trapped by a greenhouse gas with that trapped by carbon dioxide over a stated period. Many halocarbons absorb infrared radiation and have high warming effects per unit mass.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon: A halocarbon containing hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, used as a transitional replacement for many CFCs. HCFCs generally deplete ozone less than CFCs but still contain ozone-damaging chlorine.
Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon containing only carbon–carbon and carbon–hydrogen single bonds. Replacing one or more alkane hydrogens with halogens produces many simple halocarbons.
Polytetrafluoroethylene: A fluoropolymer with repeating carbon–fluorine bonds, widely known by the trade name Teflon. This durable polymer is a major material made from fluorinated carbon chemistry.