halon

A compound obtained by replacing the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon by bromine along with other halogen atoms (see halocarbons), for instance halon 1211 is bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF₂BrCl) and halon 1301 is bromotrifluoromethane (CF₃Br). Halons are very stable and unreactive and are widely used in fire extinguishers. There is concern that they are being broken down in the atmosphere to bromine, which reacts with ozone, leading to depletion of ozone layer, and their use is being curtailed. Although more chlorofluorocarbons are present in the atmosphere, halons are between three and ten times more destructive of ozone.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a compound in which the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon have been replaced by bromine and other halogen atoms; very stable; used in fire extinguishers although it is thought to release bromine that depletes the ozone layer

Halon can refer to:

• Haloalkane, or halogenoalkane, a group of chemical compounds consisting of alkanes with linked halogens. In particular, bromine-containing haloalkanes.
• Haloalkane fire extinguishing systems
• Various compounds that have been used in agriculture, dry cleaning, fire suppression, and other applications.
  • Halon 10001 (iodomethane)
  • Halon 1001 (bromomethane)
  • Halon 1011 (bromochloromethane, CH₂BrCl)
  • Halon 104 (carbon tetrachloride)
  • Halon 1103 (tribromofluoromethane)
  • Halon 112 (dichlorofluoromethane)
  • Halon 1201 (bromodifluoromethane)
  • Halon 1202 (dibromodifluoromethane)
  • Halon 1211 (bromochlorodifluoromethane, CF₂ClBr)
  • Halon 122 (dichlorodifluoromethane)
  • Halon 1301 (bromotrifluoromethane, CBrF₃)
  • Halon 14 (tetrafluoromethane)
  • Halon 242 (1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane)
  • Halon 2402 (Dibromotetrafluoroethane)
  • Halon 2600 (hexafluoroethane)

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