Catalytic Hydrodehalogenation of CFC’s (Freons)

Abstract

The photolysis of fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) in the stratosphere, and their resultant role in ozone depletion is of great global concern¹. In addition to the role played by CFC’s in the destruction of ozone, they also contribute to the “green-house effect” and hence to climatic changes². The replacement of halogen by hydrogen makes the halo-carbon susceptible to destructive free radical attack in the troposphere and considerably reduces the depletion of ozone^3–6. The following reaction may serve as a pertinent example:

$${\text{CC}}{{\text{l}}_2}{{\text{F}}_2}\xrightarrow[{{\text{catalyst}}}]{{{{\text{H}}_2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{F}}_2} + {\text{HCl}}({\text{HF}})$$