Which of the following would be suitable for use in a fire
extinguisher?
1 CBrF3
2 CH3(CH2)5CH2Br
3 HCl
What is the criteria of a compound to be used as a
fire-extinguisher? I have only heard that HCl can be used to
extinguish fire but can it be used as a fire-extinguisher?
Option 3 HCl being a strongly acidic gas, cannot be used in a fire
extinguisher for safety reasons. Option 1 is the best answer.
Option 2 isn't as suitable, as it lacks strong C-F bonds (CFCs
contain F atoms). The C-Br bond, being weaker, cleaves more readily
to generate Br radicals, contributing to ozone layer depletion.
Although a Br atom is also present in Option 1, but the Br atom is
less likely to cleave in Option 1 due to the greater instability of
the methyl radical exacerbated by the 3 electron-withdrawing by
induction F atoms.
Fire extinguishers rely on the low toxicity, low reactivity, and
low flammability of the CFCs.