Why are some organic compounds flammable?

Question

Is there organic compound that are not flammable.. example please..

Thank you

Answer 1

Yes, there are plenty of non-flammable organic compounds. Freon and tetrachloromethane are two examples. They are chlorinated hydrocarbons (Freon is actually a CFC). These compounds are difficult to burn because they will not follow the normal pathway of combustion reactions, where CO2 and H2O are produced. Oxygen-halogen compounds are usually not stable, so they are less likely to form.

Flammability means that the compound can react exothermically with oxygen. Because of the high heat of reaction, it means a fire will result from the reaction. Most alcohols and alkanes are prime examples. Their high flammability is the result of their ease of reaction with oxygen, and the large amount of heat given out when they react. This heat results from the formation the bonds in CO2 and H2O, which are very stable and have less energy than the bonds of the initial reactants. The excess energy is lost as heat.