Adsorption and decomposition of CFC-10, -11, -12 and -22 were investigated on different Y-FAU zeolites. The dominant role of acidity in the decomposition was observed. Transition metal ions resulted in enhancement of both the formation and the decomposition of phosgene as a surface intermediate. In the case of CFC-22, due to its hydrogen content, secondary generation of surface OH groups was found as a consequence of complex halogenation, ion exchange and dealumination reactions occurring simultaneously. © 1997 Elsevier B.V.