--%>

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 : Molar and Volumetric flow rate problem

    Cyclohexane (C6H12) is produced by mixing Benzene and hydrogen. A process including a reactor, separator, and recycle stream is used to produce Cyclohexane. The fresh feed contains 260L/min C6H6 with 950 L/min of H2

  • Q : Molar mass Select the right answer of

    Select the right answer of the question. Which is heaviest: (a)25 gm of mercury (b)2 moles of water (c)2 moles of carbon dioxide (d)4 gm atoms of oxygen

  • Q : What are biodegradable polymers?

      These are polymers that can be broken into small segments by enzyme-catalysed reactions. The required enzymes are produced by microorganism. It is a known fact that the carbon-carbon bonds of chain growth polymers are inert to enzyme-catalysed reactions, and hence they are non biod

  • Q : Problem on Adiabatic expansion

    Calculate the change in entropy for the system for each of the following cases. Explain the sign that you obtain by a physical argument a) A gas undergoes a reversible, adiabatic expansion from an initial state at 500 K, 1 MPa, and

  • Q : Solubility product On passing H 2 S gas

    On passing H2S gas through a particular solution of Cu+ and Zn+2 ions, first CuS is precipitated because : (a)Solubility product of CuS is equal to the ionic product of ZnS (b) Solubility product of CuS is equal to the solubility product

  • Q : Units of Measurement Unit of

    Unit of measurement- These are also some systems for units:      (1) C.G.S.

  • Q : Infrared Adsorption The adsorption of

    The adsorption of infrared radiation by diatomic molecules increases the vibrational energy fo molecules and gives information about the force constant for the "spring" of the molecule.;The molecular motion that has the next larger energy level spacing aft

  • Q : Colligative property problem Which is

    Which is not a colligative property: (a) Refractive index (b) Lowering of vapour pressure (c) Depression of freezing point (d) Elevation of boiling point    

  • Q : Molar mass what is the equation for

    what is the equation for calculating molar mass of non volatile solute

  • Q : HCl is polar or non-polar Can you

    Can you please illustrate that HCl is polar or non-polar? Briefly illustrate it.