DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE Meaning and
Definition
-
Dichlorodifluoromethane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CCl2F2. It is commonly known as Freon-12 and is a colorless, nonflammable gas at room temperature. It belongs to the class of chemical compounds known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were widely used as refrigerants, propellants, and solvents before their detrimental effects on the ozone layer were discovered.
The compound is composed of two chlorine atoms (Cl) and two fluorine atoms (F) attached to a central carbon atom (C). It has a tetrahedral molecular geometry, with the carbon atom at the center and the chlorine and fluorine atoms arranged in a triangular pyramid around it.
Dichlorodifluoromethane was primarily used as a refrigerant in air conditioning systems, home refrigerators, and commercial cooling units. However, due to its destructive impact on ozone molecules in the Earth's stratosphere, it has been phased out worldwide under the Montreal Protocol.
As a CFC, dichlorodifluoromethane has high stability and low reactivity under normal conditions. Its inertness made it an attractive choice for various industrial applications. However, once released into the atmosphere, it can be broken down by ultraviolet radiation to chlorinated and fluorinated free radicals, which then catalytically deplete the ozone layer. This harmful effect led to the necessity of replacing these compounds with more ozone-friendly alternatives like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Common Misspellings for DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE
- sichlorodifluoromethane
- xichlorodifluoromethane
- cichlorodifluoromethane
- fichlorodifluoromethane
- richlorodifluoromethane
- eichlorodifluoromethane
- duchlorodifluoromethane
- djchlorodifluoromethane
- dkchlorodifluoromethane
- dochlorodifluoromethane
- d9chlorodifluoromethane
- d8chlorodifluoromethane
- dixhlorodifluoromethane
- divhlorodifluoromethane
- difhlorodifluoromethane
- didhlorodifluoromethane
- dicglorodifluoromethane
- dicblorodifluoromethane
- dicnlorodifluoromethane
- dicjlorodifluoromethane
Etymology of DICHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE
The word "dichlorodifluoromethane" is a chemical compound name. Its etymology can be broken down as follows:
1. "Di-" is a prefix meaning "two" or "double".
2. "Chloro-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "khloros", meaning "green" or "yellowish-green". In chemistry, it refers to compounds containing chlorine atoms.
3. "Difluoro-" is a prefix combining "di-" (meaning "two") and "fluoro-", derived from the Latin word "fluere", meaning "flow" or "flux". In chemistry, it refers to compounds containing two fluorine atoms.
4. "-Methane" is a suffix referring to the simplest hydrocarbon compound, consisting of one carbon atom with four hydrogen atoms attached to it.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
