Editing Chlorofluorocarbon (section)

==Reactions==
The reaction of the CFCs which is responsible for the depletion of ozone, is the [[photochemical reaction|photo-induced scission]] of a C-Cl bond:<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory - Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species |url=https://gml.noaa.gov/hats/publictn/elkins/cfcs.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=gml.noaa.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref>
:{{chem2|CCl3F -> CCl2F^{•} + Cl^{•}|}}

The chlorine atom, written often as Cl<sup>'''•'''</sup>, behaves very differently from the chlorine molecule ({{chem2|Cl2}}). The radical Cl<sup>'''•'''</sup> is long-lived in the upper atmosphere, where it catalyzes the conversion of ozone into {{O2}}. Ozone absorbs UV-B radiation, so its depletion allows more of this high energy radiation to reach the Earth's surface. [[Bromine]] atoms are even more efficient catalysts; hence brominated CFCs are also regulated.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/halons-program | title=Halons Program | date=15 July 2015 }}</ref>