The key role of catalysis in the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Original Research Article

The phase-out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has been a huge commercial success. The chemistry required to make replacement chemicals is very complex and new catalysts were required. In the early days of the development effort, yield and lifetime were serious concerns. Many of these problems have been solved and large volume plants are operating commercially. This short article will summarize the key improvements and discuss future research opportunities.