--%>

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 : Explain reactions of carbonyl oxygen

    In these reaction oxygen atom of carbonyl group is replaced by either one divalent group or two monovalent groups. Reaction by ammonia derivatives: aldehydes and ketones react with a number of ammonia derivatives such as hydroxylaminem hydrazine, semicarbazide etc. in weak acidic medium.

  • Q : Calculating amount of Sodium hydroxide

    Choose the right answer from following. The amount of NaOH in gms in 250cm3 of a0.100M NaOH solution would be : (a) 4 gm (b) 2 gm (c) 1 gm (d) 2.5 gm

  • 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 : Vander Waals forces Wax is an example

    Wax is an example of: (a) Ionic crystal  (b) Covalent crystal  (c) Metallic crystal  (d) Molecular crystalAnswer: (d) Iodine crystals are molecular crystals, in which constituent particles are molecules having inter particle

  • Q : Molar mass of compound The freezing

    The freezing point of a solution having 4.8 g of a compound in 60 g of benzene is 4.48. Determine the molar mass of the compound (Kf = 5.1 Km-1) , (freezing point of  benzene = 5.5oC)          &n

  • Q : Anti-aromatic and the non-aromatic

    What is main difference among anti-aromatic and the non-aromatic compounds?

  • Q : What are heterogenous catalysis? Give

    When the catalyst exists in a different phase than that of reactants, it is said to be heterogeneous catalyst, and the catalysis is called heterogeneous catalysis. For example, SO2 can be oxidized to SO3

  • Q : Questuion associated with colligative

    Provide solution of this question. Which of the following is a colligative property: (a) Surface tension (b) Viscosity (c) Osmotic pressure (d) Optical rotation

  • Q : Problem on preparing of a solution Give

    Give me answer of this question. How many grams of CH3OH should be added to water to prepare 150 solution of@M CH3 OH: (a) 9.6 (b) 2.4 (c) 9.6x 103 (d) 2.4 x103

  • Q : Precipitation Addition of conc. HCl to

    Addition of conc. HCl to saturated Bacl2 solution precipitates Bacl2 ; because of the following reason : (a) It follows from Le Chatelier's principle (b) Of common-ion effect (c) Ionic product (Ba++)(cl) remains constant in a saturated sol