Bromotrifluoromethane
Definition and meaning of Bromotrifluoromethane in chemistry.
Bromotrifluoromethane is a haloalkane with the formula CBrF3, a colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas best known by its fire-suppressant trade name, Halon 1301.
In more detail
Unlike inert gases that fight fires by displacing oxygen, CBrF3 chemically interrupts the free-radical chain reaction of combustion, so it extinguishes flames at low concentrations while leaving no residue and posing minimal risk to sensitive electronics. That same reactivity is an environmental liability: in the stratosphere, ultraviolet light cleaves the relatively weak C-Br bond, releasing bromine atoms that catalytically destroy ozone far more efficiently than chlorine from CFCs. As a result, bromotrifluoromethane has one of the highest ozone depletion potentials of any commercial compound, and the Montreal Protocol banned new production in most countries starting in 1994.
Key facts
| Formula | CBrF3 |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Halon 1301, BTM |
| Boiling Point | -57.75 °C |
| Field | Organic Chemistry |
Commercial aircraft store liquefied Halon 1301 (CBrF3) under pressure in cargo-bay and engine-nacelle fire bottles; a triggered valve releases it as a gas that suppresses fire almost instantly without harming avionics.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Halon 1301 banned if it works so well?
Its stratospheric breakdown releases bromine radicals that catalyze ozone destruction with an ozone depletion potential far exceeding that of CFCs, so the Montreal Protocol phased out new production starting in 1994.
Why is it still used in some fire-suppression systems today?
Aviation and a few other critical applications retain essential-use exemptions because no substitute matches its combination of effectiveness, electrical non-conductivity, and low toxicity at extinguishing concentrations; existing supplies are recycled rather than newly manufactured.