levo

Core Organic Chemistry

CFCs, radicals and the catalytic destruction of ozone

  • 1 thing to know
  • Components 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the homolytic fission of a CFC by ultraviolet light, the two steps of the catalytic cycle, why the chlorine radical is a catalyst, and how the science shaped policy.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What are the equations for the two steps in the catalytic destruction of ozone by chlorine radicals, and what is the overall equation?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What type of radiation causes the breakdown of CFCs in the upper atmosphere?

    Model answer

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

  2. 2

    What type of bond fission occurs when UV radiation breaks carbon-halogen bonds in CFCs?

    Model answer

    Homolytic fission.

  3. 3

    In homolytic fission of a carbon-halogen bond in a CFC, how are the bonding electrons distributed?

    Model answer

    One electron goes to each atom.

  4. 4

    What two species are produced when UV radiation causes homolytic fission of a C–Cl bond in a CFC?

    Model answer

    A halogen radical (chlorine radical) and an organic radical are formed.

  5. 5

    Write an equation showing the production of chlorine radicals from CF₂Cl₂ by UV radiation.

    Model answer

    CF₂Cl₂ → CF₂Cl• + •Cl

  6. 6

    In the first step of chlorine-catalysed ozone destruction, what does a chlorine radical react with and what products are formed?

    Model answer

    A chlorine radical reacts with ozone (O₃) to form a chlorine monoxide radical (ClO•) and an oxygen molecule (O₂)

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

1Closed book
2Open book
3Closed book

The 3-step method, run for you

Answer cold, learn it, then prove it stuck. Levo tracks the jump between your first attempt and your last.

Foundations in Chemistry
Bonding and Structure
Periodic Table and Energy
Enthalpy Changes

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Sort every topic into what you know and what you do not, then drill only the weak ones.

The order is .
201

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Rapid timed gap-fills on the terms and numbers you need to recall without thinking.

AThe first step is Cl• + O₃ → ClO• + O₂.
BThe second step is ClO• + O → Cl• + O₂.
CThe overall equation is O₃ + O → 2O₂.

Build It gets the exam shape right

Assemble a full-mark answer from its marking points, in the order an examiner wants them.

In ClO⁻, chlorine has oxidation number +1.
TrueFalse

Test It catches misconceptions

Spot the fault in a statement. The traps are the mistakes students actually make.

721941163128510

Brain Breaks between sessions

Short focus games to reset attention, so the next set lands better than the last.

Every question in Core Organic Chemistry, on a schedule.

Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.