What is a key characteristic of halogenated hydrocarbons in terms of flammability?

Halogenated hydrocarbons are generally characterized by having low flammability due to the presence of halogen atoms, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, in their molecular structure. These halogens often increase the stability of the hydrocarbon, making it less prone to combustion under normal conditions. The halogens can act as flame retardants, which means that they inhibit the initiation and propagation of fire.

While some halogenated compounds may show varying degrees of flammability, the overarching characteristic is that they are predominantly non-flammable compared to many other organic compounds. This property makes them useful in applications where fire safety is a concern, such as in refrigeration and as solvents, as they tend to require a higher energy input to ignite.