--%>

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 : Maximum vapour pressure Provide

    Provide solution of this question. Which solution will show the maximum vapour pressure at 300 K: (a)1MC12H22O11 (b)1M CH3 COOH (c) 1MNacl2 (d)1MNACl

  • Q : Hybridization Atomic orbitals can be

    Atomic orbitals can be combined, in a process called hybridization, to describe the bonding in polyatomic molecules. Descriptions of the bonding in CH4 can be used to illustrate the valence bond procedure. We must arrive a

  • 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 : Describe properties of carboxylic acids.

    1. Physical state: the first three aliphatic acids are colourless liquids with pungent smell. The next six are oily liquids with an odour of rancid butter while the higher members are colourless, odourless waxy solids. Benzoic acid is referred to

  • Q : Molecular crystals Among the below

    Among the below shown which crystal will be soft and have low melting point: (a) Covalent  (b) Ionic  (c) Metallic  (d) MolecularAnswer: (d) Molecular crystals are soft and have low melting point.

  • Q : Explain Rotational Vibrational Spectra

    The infrared spectrum of gas samples shows the effect of rotational-energy changes along with the vibrational energy change.As we know from the interpretations given to thermodynamic properties of gases, gas molecules are simultaneously rotating and vibrating. It follows that an absor

  • Q : What do you mean by the term dipole

    What do you mean by the term dipole moment? Briefly describe it.

  • Q : Modes of concentration Which of the

    Which of the given modes of expressing concentration is fully independent of temperature: (1) Molarity (2) Molality (3) Formality (4) Normality Choose the right answer from above.

  • Q : Question 6 A student was analyzing an

    A student was analyzing an unknown containing only Group IV cations. When the unknown was treated with 3M (NH4)2CO3 solution, a white precipitate formed. Because the acetic acid bottle was empty, the student used 6M HCl to dissolve the precipitate. Following the procedure of this experiment, the stu