--%>

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 : Normality of acetic acid Give me answer

    Give me answer of this question. The normality of 10% (weight/volume) acetic acid is: (a)1 N (b)10 N (c)1.7 N (d) 0.83 N

  • Q : Soluation of Ideal Gas Law problems

    Explain the method, how do you solve Ideal Gas Law problems?

  • Q : What is chemisorption or chemical

    When the forces of attraction existing between adsorbate particles and adsorbent almost of the same strength as chemical bonds, the adsorption is called chemical adsorption. This type of adsorption is also known as chemisorptions. Since forces of attraction existing b

  • Q : Calculate PH value for a acetic acid 1.

    1. A solution of 0.100 M acetic acid is prepared. a) What is its pH value? b) If 20% of the initial acetic acid is converted to the acetate form by titration with NaOH, what is the resultant pH?

  • Q : Colligative property associated question

    Give me answer of this question. Which of the following is not a colligative property : (a)Optical activity (b)Elevation in boiling point (c)Osmotic pressure (d)Lowering of vapour pressure

  • Q : Molarity of sodium hydroxide Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. Determine the molarity of a solution having 5g of sodium hydroxide in 250ml  solution is: (i) 0.5  (ii) 1.0  (iii) 2.0   (d) 0.1Answer: The right answer i

  • Q : Describe various systems for

    Common system According to this system, the individual members are named according to alkyl groups att

  • Q : Relative lowering of vapour pressure

    Which of the following solutions will have a lower vapour pressure and why? a) A 5% aqueous solution of cane sugar. b) A 5% aqueous solution of urea.

  • Q : Partial vapour pressure of volatile

    Choose the right answer from following. For a solution of volatile liquids the partial vapour pressure of each component in solution is directly proportional to: (a) Molarity (b) Mole fraction (c) Molality (d) Normality

  • Q : How haloalkanes are prepared from

    This is the common method for preparing haloalkanes in laboratory. Alcohols can be converted to haloalkanes by substitution of - OH group with a halogen atom. Different reagents can be used to get haloa