fluorocarbons

Fluorocarbons are a class of organic compounds in which carbon atoms are bonded to fluorine atoms. The term encompasses simple molecules such as fluoromethane and complex macromolecules such as fluoropolymers, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The defining feature is the carbon–fluorine bond, one of the strongest in organic chemistry, which imparts high stability and chemical inertness.

Fluorination typically increases thermal stability, lowers reactivity, and reduces surface energy. Fluorocarbons range from volatile gaseous refrigerants to high-molecular-weight polymers. They are produced by various methods, including direct fluorination, electrofluorination, and telomerization, and are used to make materials with nonstick properties, low-friction surfaces, flame resistance, and specialty solvents.

Applications include refrigerants (historical CFCs and HCFCs; many phased out due to ozone depletion), HFCs and low-GWP substitutes; fluoropolymers such as PTFE and FEP used for nonstick coatings, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature seals; fluorinated solvents and gases used in electronics, pharmaceutical, and aerospace industries.

Environmental and regulatory considerations are central to discussions of fluorocarbons. Many fluorocarbons are persistent and potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potentials. Ozone-depleting CFCs were phased out under the Montreal Protocol; HCFCs and HFCs face ongoing controls, and industry is shifting toward lower-GWP refrigerants and alternative chemistries. Safety and handling vary by compound; some fluorocarbons are inert and low-toxicity, while others pose environmental or health risks.