A type of compound in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon (usually an alkane) have been replaced by chlorine and fluorine atoms. Most chlorofluorocarbons are chemically unreactive and are stable at high temperatures. They are used as aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and solvents, and in the manufacture of rigid packaging foam. A commonly encountered commercial name for these compounds is freon, e.g. freon 12 is dichlorodifluoromethane (CCl2F2). Chlorofluorocarbons, because of their chemical inertness, can diffuse unchanged into the upper atmosphere. Here, photochemical reactions cause them to break down and react with ozone (see ozone layer). For this reason, their use has been discouraged.