--%>

Explain polyhalogen compounds with examples.

Carbon compounds containing more than one halogen atom are called polyhalogen compounds. Most of these compounds are valuable in industry and agriculture. Some important polyhalogen compounds are described as follows:

    
Dichloromethane or methylene chloride, CH3Cl2

Dichloromethane is prepared industrially by direct chlorination of methane. The mixture of CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl2 and CCl4 so obtained is separated by fractional distillation.

Properties

Dichloromethane is a sweet smelling volatile liquid and its boiling point is 313 K.

Dichloromethane harms the human central nervous system. Exposure to lower levels of dichloromethane in air can lead to slightly impaired hearing and vision. Higher levels of dichloromethane in air can cause dizziness, nauses and numbness in the fingers and toes. Direct skin contact with methylene chloride causes strong burning and mild redness to the skin. Direct contact with eyes can burn cornea.

Uses
    
Because of its low boiling point and low inflammability it is used as extraction solvent in pharmaceutical and food industries. It is also used as solvent for carrying out many organic reactions in research laboratories.
    
It is used as a metal finishing and cleaning solvent.
    
It is also used as a propellent in aerosols.
    
Trichloromethane (Chloroform), CHCl3 

Preparation
    
From methane: chloroform is manufactured by chlorination of methane in the presence of light or catalysts.
1278_polyhalogen compounds.png                                     


The mixture of CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CCl4 can be separated by fractional distillation.
    
From chloral hydrate, pure chloroform can be obtained by distilling chloral or chloral hydrate with concentrated aqueous solution or KOH solution.
                    
NaOH + CCl3CHO  1950_electrode potential.png  HCOONa + CHCl2
             
NaOH + CCl3CH(OH)2  1950_electrode potential.png  HCOOna + CHCl3 + H2O

    
Laboratory method: in this method chloroform is obtained from ethanol or acetone by reaction with a paste of bleaching powder and water.

In this reaction, bleaching powder serves as a source of chlorine which first oxidizes ethanol acetaldehyte, which is then further chlorinated to chloral. Chloral reacts with Ca(OH)2, given by CaOCl2, to give chloroform and calcium formate.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : What are homogenous catalyst? Give few

    When a catalyst mixes homogeneously with the reactants and forms a single phase, the catalyst is said to be homogeneous and this type of catalysis is called homogeneous catalysis. Some more examples of homogeneous catalysis are:    SO2

  • Q : Which solution will have highest

    Which solution will have highest boiling point:(a) 1% solution of glucose in water  (b) 1% solution of sodium chloride in water  (c) 1% solution of zinc sulphate in water  (d) 1% solution of urea in waterAnswer: (b) Na

  • Q : Problem on partial pressure i) Show

    i) Show that the equilibrium constant Kp for the reaction CaCo3(s) ↔ CaO(s) +CO2(g)is about unity (i.e. = 1.0) at 895 °C.ii) If two grams of calcium carbonate are pl

  • Q : Calculating number of moles from

    Choose the right answer from following. If 0.50 mol of CaCl2 is mixed with 0.20 mol of Na3PO4, the maximum number of moles of Ca3 (PO2)2 which can be formed: (a) 0.70 (b) 0.50 (c) 0.20 (d) 0.10

  • Q : Question on colligative property Choose

    Choose the right answer from following. Which of the following is a colligative property: (a) Osmotic pressure (b) Boiling point (c) Vapour pressure (d) Freezing point

  • Q : Hydrocarbons list and identify

    list and identify differences between the major classes of hydrocarbons

  • Q : Why medications include the hcl Why do

    Why do various medications include the hcl? Describe briefly?

  • Q : What type of bond does HCl encompass

    What type of bond does HCl encompass? Describe briefly?

  • Q : What is Elevation in boiling point? The

    The boiling of a liquid may be defused by the temperature at which its vapour pressure which is equal to atmospheric pressure. The effect of addition in a non-volatile solute on the boiling point shown and its solution containing non-volatile solute with tempe

  • Q : How haloalkanes are prepared from

    Alkyl halides can be prepared from alkanes through substitution and from alkenes through addition of halogen acids or through allylic substitution.    From alkanesWhen alkanes are treated with halogens, chlo