clorados

Clorados are chemical substances that contain chlorine atoms in their molecular structure. The term covers both inorganic chlorides, such as sodium chloride, and organic compounds in which chlorine is covalently bound to carbon. In common usage, "clorados" often refers to chlorinated organic compounds, a broad category that includes solvents, pesticides, refrigerants, and polymers.

Chlorinated organics are typically produced by introducing chlorine into hydrocarbon backbones through substitution or addition reactions. Notable examples include chlorinated solvents like dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride; chlorinated pesticides such as DDT and chlordane; and polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated paraffins. Some chlorinated compounds are formed naturally in trace amounts by biological or geological processes.

Clorados have a wide range of applications due to properties like chemical stability and polarity. They are used as degreasing agents, solvents, flame retardants, refrigerants, plasticizers, and precursors for various specialty chemicals. However, many chlorinated organics are persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate, leading to long-term ecological and health concerns.

Regulation and safety: Because of toxicity, persistence, and potential for long-range transport, chlorinated compounds are subject to risk assessments and regulatory controls in many jurisdictions. International frameworks, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and, for ozone-depleting halocarbons, the Montreal Protocol, aim to limit or phase out the most harmful chlorinated substances. See also halogenated compounds.