--%>

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 : How can enzymes act as catalyst?

    Enzymes are complex proteinous substances, produced by living bodies, such as act as catalysis in the physiological reactions. The enzymes are, also called biochemical catalysts and the phenomenon is known as bio-chemical catalysis because numerous reactions that occur the bodies of animals and p

  • Q : Chem Silicon has three naturally

    Silicon has three naturally occurring isotopes. 28Si, mass = 27.976927; 29Si, mass = 28.976495; 30Si, mass = 29.973770 and 3.10% abundance. What is the abundance of 28Si?

  • Q : Film Mass Transport Sulfur trioxide

    Sulfur trioxide (SO3) is manufactured by the gas-phase oxidation of SO2 over a platinum catalyst: SO2 + ½ O2 à SO3 The catalyst is a non-porous ext

  • Q : Value of molar solution Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. Molar solution contains: (a)1000g of solute (b)1000g of solvent (c)1 litre of solvent (d)1 litre of solution

  • Q : Problems related to entropy change A)

    A) Two compartments each of 1 m3 capacity are joined by a valve and insulated from the surroundings and from one another. One compartment has saturated steam at 683.6 kPa and the other contains steam at the same temperature but at a pressure of 101.3 kPa. T

  • Q : Chem Explain how dissolving the Group

    Explain how dissolving the Group IV carbonate precipitate with 6M CH3COOH, followed by the addition of extra acetic acid.

  • Q : Explain the process of adsorption of

    The extent of adsorption of a gas on a solid adsorbent is affected by the following factors: 1. Nature of the gas Since physical adsorption is non-specific in nature, every gas will get adsorbed on the

  • Q : Dependcy of colligative properties

    Colligative properties of a solution depends upon: (a) Nature of both solvent and solute (b) The relative number of solute and solvent particles (c) Nature of solute only (d) Nature of solvent only

  • Q : What are haloalkanes and haloarenes and

    Alkyl halides or haloalkanes are the compounds in which a halogen is bonded to an alkyl group. They have the general formula RX (where R is alkyl grou

  • Q : Solution problem What is the correct

    What is the correct answer. To made a solution of concentration of 0.03 g/ml of AgNO3, what quantity of AgNO3 must be added in 60 ml of solution: (a) 1.8  (b) 0.8  (c) 0.18  (d) None of these