Question

How ozone layer is being depleted by Chlorofluocarbons?

Answer 1

Answer. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as refrigerants in air conditioners and refrigerators are major cause of depletion of ozone layer. These compounds leak in one way or other; escape and diffuse to stratosphere. There ultraviolet radiations break the C-C1 bond in CFCl3 and generate chlorine free radicals.

                        UV
        CFCl2               CFCl2   
These free radicals are very reactive. They react with ozone to form oxygen as
       O3+ Cl           O2 + OCl·
          OCl·          O· + Cl·
            O· + O·         O2
A single chlorine free radical released by the decomposition of CFCs is capable of destroying up to 1 lac ozone molecules as shown in figure.
Depletion of ozone layer by chlorofluoro carbons