A
chlorofluorocarbon (
CFC) is an
organic compound that contains only
carbon,
chlorine, and
fluorine, produced as a
volatile derivative of
methane,
ethane, and
propane. They are also commonly known by the
DuPont brand name
Freon. The most common representative is
dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12 or Freon-12). Many CFCs have been widely used as
refrigerants, propellants (in aerosol applications), and solvents. Because CFCs contribute to
ozone depletion in the upper
atmosphere, the manufacture of such compounds has been phased out under the
Montreal Protocol, and they are being replaced with other products such as
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (e.g.,
R-410A) and R-134a