--%>

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 : Problem on relative volatility In

    In vapor-liquid equilibrium the relative volatility αij is defined to be the ratio of the separation or K factor for species i to that for species j, that is,  αij = Ki/Kj

  • Q : Problem based on mole concept Choose

    Choose the right answer from following. An aqueous solution of glucose is 10% in strength. The volume in which mole of it is dissolved will be : (a) 18 litre (b) 9 litre (c) 0.9 litre (d) 1.8 litre

  • Q : Difference among hcl gas and hcl acid

    What is the basic difference among hcl gas and hcl acid? Briefly state the difference?

  • 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 : 6. 20 gm of hydrogen is present in 5

    6. 20 gm of hydrogen is present in 5 litre vessel. The molar concentration of hydrogen is

  • Q : What are ion selective electrodes? Ion

    Ion Selective Electrodes An ion selective membrane can be used to form an electrochemical cell whose emf depends on the concentration of that ion. Before we proceed to an important application of emf measurements, brie

  • Q : Surface Tension Vapour Pressure The

    The vapor pressure of small liquid drops depends on the drop size. Although the surface properties of a liquid are different from those of the bulk liquid, the special surface properties can be ignored except in a few situations. One is the case in which a liquid is dispersed into fine dr

  • Q : Hydroxide is highly insoluble in

     : 1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is highly insoluble in distilled water but dissolves readily in either acidic or basic solution. Briefly explain why the compound can dissolve in acidic or in basic but not in neutral solution. Write appropriate equations to

  • Q : Number of electrons in the benzene

    Describe the number of electrons in the benzene? Write a short note on it?

  • Q : Organic structure of cetearyl alcohol

    Show the organic structure of cetearyl alcohol and state what the organic family is? Briefly state it.