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Uses of halogenoalkanes
The haloalkanes (also known as halogenoalkanes or alkyl halides) are alkanes containing one
or more halogen substituents. Haloalkanes are widely used commercially. They are used as
flame retardants, fire extinguishants, refrigerants, propellants, solvents, and pharmaceuticals.
Subsequent to the widespread use in commerce, many halocarbons have also been shown to
be serious pollutants and toxins.
For example, the chlorofluorocarbons have been shown to lead to ozone depletion. Methyl
bromide is a controversial fumigant etc.
What are CFCs?
CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons - compounds containing carbon with chlorine and fluorine
atoms attached.
Uses of CFCs
CFCs are non-flammable and not very toxic. They therefore had a large number of uses.
They were used as refrigerants, propellants for aerosols, for generating foamed plastics like
expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam, and as solvents for dry cleaning and for general
degreasing purposes.
Unfortunately, CFCs are largely responsible for destroying the ozone layer. In the high
atmosphere, the carbon-chlorine bonds break to give chlorine free radicals. It is these radicals
which destroy ozone. CFCs are now being replaced by less environmentally harmful
compounds.
CFCs can also cause global warming. One molecule of CFC-11, for example, has a global
warming potential about 5000 times greater than a molecule of carbon dioxide.
On the other hand, there is far more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than CFCs, so global
warming isn't the major problem associated with them.

Hydrofluorocarbons, HFCs
These are compounds containing only hydrogen and fluorine attached to carbon. Because
these HCFCs don't contain any chlorine, they have zero effect on the ozone layer. HFC-134a
is now widely used in refrigerants, for blowing foamed plastics and as a propellant in
aerosols.
Lab uses of halogenoalkanes
If you refer to the halogenoalkanes menu ,you will find that they react with lots of things
leading to a wide range of different organic products.
Halogenoalkanes are therefore useful in the lab as intermediates in making other organic
chemicals.