--%>

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 : Question based on vapour pressure and

    Give me answer of this question. The vapour pressure of water at 20degreeC is 17.54 mm. When 20g of a non-ionic, substance is dissolved in 100g of water, the vapour pressure is lowered by 0.30 mm. What is the molecular weight of the substances: (a) 210.2 (b) 206.88

  • Q : Molarity of the final mixture Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. Two solutions of a substance (that is, non electrolyte) are mixed in the given manner 480 ml of 1.5M first solution + 520 ml of 1.2M second solution. Determine the molarity of the final mixture

  • Q : Help 1) Chromium(III) hydroxide is

    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 support your answer. 2) Explain how dissolving t

  • Q : Finding strength of HCL solution Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. 1.0 gm of pure calcium carbonate was found to require 50 ml of dilute  HCL for complete reaction. The strength of the HCL  solution is given by: (a) 4 N  (b) 2 N  (c) 0.4 N  (d) 0.2 N

  • Q : What is covalent radii? Explain its

    Average covalent radii can be assigned on the basis of molecular structures. The accumulation of structural data by spectroscopic studies and both electron and x-ray diffraction studies allows one to investigate the possibili

  • Q : Problem on moles of solution The number

    The number of moles of a solute in its solution is 20 and total no. of moles are 80. The mole fraction of solute wil be: (a) 2.5 (b) 0.25 (c) 1 (d) 0.75

  • Q : Question of vapour pressure Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. Vapour pressure of a solution is: (a) Directly proportional to the mole fraction of the solvent (b) Inversely proportional to the mole fraction of the solute (c) Inversely proportional to the mole fraction of the solvent (d

  • Q : Number of moles of potassium chloride

    Choose the right answer from following. The number of moles of KCL in 1000ml of 3 molar solution is: (a)1 (b)2 (c)3 (d)1.5

  • Q : Problem on solutions The 2N aqueous

    The 2N aqueous solution of H2S04 contains: (a) 49 gm of H2S04 per litre of solution (b) 4.9 gm of H2S04 per litre of solution (c) 98 gm of H2S04

  • Q : Volume of solution containing solute

    What volume of solution contains 0.1 mole of the solute: (a) 100ml (b) 125ml  (c) 500ml (d) 62.5ml Choose the right answer from above.