--%>

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 : Amines why o-toluidine is a weaker base

    why o-toluidine is a weaker base than aniline?

  • Q : Describe properties of carboxylic acids.

    1. Physical state: the first three aliphatic acids are colourless liquids with pungent smell. The next six are oily liquids with an odour of rancid butter while the higher members are colourless, odourless waxy solids. Benzoic acid is referred to

  • Q : Law of vapour pressure Select the right

    Select the right answer of the question. "The relative lowering of the vapour pressure is equal to the mole fraction of the solute." This law is called: (a) Henry's law (b) Raoult's law (c) Ostwald's law (d) Arrhenius's law

  • Q : State octet rule in chemistry Explain

    Explain what is octet rule in chemistry?

  • Q : Molecular Properties Symmetry Molecular

    Molecular orbitals and molecular motions belong to certain symmetry species of the point group of the molecule.Examples of the special ways in which vectors or functions can be affected by symmetry operations are illustrated here. All wave functions soluti

  • Q : How to calculate solutions molar

    The contribution of an electrolyte, or an ion electrolyte, is reported as the molar of a conductance. The definition of the molar conductance is based on the following conductivity cell in which the electrodes are 1 m apart and of sufficient area that th

  • Q : Can protein act as the buffer Can

    Can protein act as the buffer? Briefly comment on that statement.

  • Q : Solutions The normality of 10 lit.

    The normality of 10 lit. volume hydrogen peroxide is: (a) 0.176 (b) 3.52 (c) 1.78 (d) 0.88 (e)17.8

  • Q : Problem on decinormal strength Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. How many grams of dibasic acid (having mol. wt. 200) must be present in 100ml  of its aqueous solution to provide decinormal strength: (i) 1g  (ii)2g  (iii) 10g  (iv) 20g<

  • Q : Forms a molecule to an organic molecule

    Briefly state what forms a molecule to an organic molecule?