Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are important compounds that are used as refrigerants but these are also responsible for ozone layer depletion. If a chlorofluorocarbon CFCl3 is present in stratosphere, which of its reaction intermediates are actually responsible for the breakdown of the ozone molecule?

Explanation

In the stratosphere, when a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) like CFCl3 (also known as CFC-11) is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it breaks down into chlorine radicals (Cl*) and a CFCl2 radical. These chlorine radicals (Cl*) are highly reactive and can catalyze the breakdown of ozone (O3) molecules into oxygen (O2). This catalytic cycle involving Cl* and ClO* (chlorine monoxide radical) is responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.