--%>

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 various chemicals associated

    During processing of food, several chemicals are added to it to augment its shelf life and to make it more attractive as well. Main types of food addi

  • Q : What do you mean by the term alum What

    What do you mean by the term alum? Also illustrate its uses?

  • Q : Calculating value of molar solution

    Choose the right answer from following. An X molal solution of a compound in benzene has mole fraction of solute equal to 0.2. The value of X is: (a)14 (b) 3.2 (c) 4 (d) 2

  • Q : Schrodinger equation with particle in a

    Three dimensional applications of the Schrodinger equation are introduced by the particle-in-a-box problem.So far only a one-dimensional problem has been solved by application of the Schrodinger equation. Now the allowed energies and the probability functi

  • Q : What is heat capacity and how to

    The temperature reliance of internal energy and enthalpy depends on the heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure. The internal energy and enthalpy of chemical systems and the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions depend on the

  • Q : The three facts on the evaporation

    Describe briefly the three facts on the evaporation?

  • Q : Problem on decinormal strength Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. How many grams of dibasic acid (having mol. wt. 200) must be present in 100ml  of its aqueous solution to provide decinormal strength: (i) 1g  (ii)2g  (iii) 10g  (iv) 20g<

  • Q : Mole fraction Give me answer of

    Give me answer of following question. The sum of the mole fraction of the components of a solution is : (a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 4.

  • Q : Concentration of Barium chloride Give

    Give me answer of this question. If 5.0gm of BaCl2 is present in 106 gm solution, the concentration is: (a)1 ppm (b)5 ppm (c)50 ppm (d)1000 ppm

  • Q : What is synthetic rubber and how it

    To meet human needs, scientists have started preparing synthetic rubbers. Besides having similar properties as natural rubbers they are tougher, more flexible and more durable than natural rubber. They are capable of getting stretched to twice its length. Though, it reverts to its original shape