--%>

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 : Means of molality Give me answer of

    Give me answer of this question. The number of moles of solute per kg of a solvent is called its: (a) Molarity (b) Normality (c) Molar fraction (d) Molality

  • Q : Degree of dissociation The degree of

    The degree of dissociation of Ca(No3)2 in a dilute aqueous solution containing 14g of the salt per 200g of water 100oc is 70 percent. If the vapor pressure of water at 100oc is 760 cm. Calculate the vapor pr

  • Q : Define thermal energy The thermal part

    The thermal part of the internal energy and the enthalpy of an ideal gas can be given a molecular level explanation. All the earlier development of internal energy and enthalpy has been "thermodynamic". We have made no use o

  • Q : Significance of the organic chemistry

    Describe some of the significance of the organic chemistry in brief?

  • Q : Molecular basis of third law. The

    The molecular, or statistical, basis of the third law can be seen by investigating S = k in W.The molecular deductions of the preceding sections have led to the same conclusions as that stated in the third law of thermodynamics, namely, that a value can be

  • Q : Forms a molecule to an organic molecule

    Briefly state what forms a molecule to an organic molecule?

  • Q : Liquid surfaces The surface between a

    The surface between a liquid and a vapour distinguishes these fluids. The surface tension of liquids can be looked upon as that the property which draws a liquid together and forms a liquid vapour interface, therefore, distinguishing liquids from gases.<

  • Q : Explain methods for industrial

    The important methods for the preparation of alcohol on large-scale are given below:    

  • Q : Molality of glucose Help me to go

    Help me to go through this problem. Molecular weight of glucose is 180. A solution of glucose which contains 18 gms per litre is : (a) 2 molal (b) 1 molal (c) 0.1 molal (d)18 molal

  • Q : Benefits of soapy detergents over the

    What are the benefits of soapy detergents over the soap less detergents? Briefly state the benefits?