HCFC22

HCFC-22, also known as chlorodifluoromethane, is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that has been widely used as a refrigerant, blowing agent, and propellant. It has the chemical formula CHClF2. HCFC-22 is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure and is heavier than air. Its primary applications have been in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as well as in the production of polymers like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

While HCFC-22 was developed as a transitional replacement for more ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), it still possesses ozone-depleting potential, albeit lower than CFCs. Furthermore, it is a potent greenhouse gas with a significant global warming potential. Due to these environmental concerns, its production and consumption are being phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its subsequent amendments. Developed countries have largely completed this phase-out, while developing countries are in the process of implementing it. The search for more environmentally friendly alternatives continues in various industries.