Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon (pronunciation: floor-oh-car-bon) is a type of compound that is derived from hydrocarbons, with all hydrogen atoms replaced by fluorine. The term is often used to refer to the class of compounds in which all the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms, also known as perfluorocarbons.
Etymology
The term "fluorocarbon" is derived from the elements that make up the compound: fluorine and carbon. The prefix "fluoro-" comes from the Latin word "fluere", which means "to flow", and the suffix "-carbon" refers to the element carbon.
Related Terms
- Hydrocarbon: A compound of hydrogen and carbon, from which fluorocarbons are derived.
- Perfluorocarbon: A type of fluorocarbon where all hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms.
- Chlorofluorocarbon: A compound containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane.
- Hydrofluorocarbon: Compounds containing hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon. They are used as refrigerants in place of chlorofluorocarbons.
Uses
Fluorocarbons are used in a variety of applications due to their unique properties. They are most commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, but are also used in the production of Teflon, a non-stick material used in cookware. In medicine, fluorocarbons are used as oxygen carriers in a process known as liquid breathing.
Health Effects
Exposure to fluorocarbons can have various health effects, depending on the type of fluorocarbon and the level of exposure. Some fluorocarbons, such as chlorofluorocarbons, have been linked to ozone depletion. Others, such as certain perfluorocarbons, are greenhouse gases and can contribute to global warming.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fluorocarbon
- Wikipedia's article - Fluorocarbon
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski