--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

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 : How can enzymes act as catalyst?

    Enzymes are complex proteinous substances, produced by living bodies, such as act as catalysis in the physiological reactions. The enzymes are, also called biochemical catalysts and the phenomenon is known as bio-chemical catalysis because numerous reactions that occur the bodies of animals and p

    		•
  • Q : Calculating density of water using

    What is the percent error in calculating the density of water using the ideal gas law for the following conditions:  a. 110 oC, 1 bar   b. 210 oC 10 bar  c. 374 o

    		•
  • Q : Describe chemical properties of amines.

    Like ammonia, primary, secondary and tertiary amines have a single pair of electrons on N atom. Hence chemical behavior of amines is similar to ammonia. Amines are basic in nature, and in most of the reactions they act as nucleophiles.      1. Reaction wi

    		•
  • 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 : Coordination compounds discuss

    discuss practical uses of coordination compounds

    		•
  • Q : Alkaline medium The amount of KMnO 4

    The amount of KMnO4 required to prepare 100 ml of 0.1N solution in alkaline medium is: (a) 1.58 gm (b) 3.16 gm (c) 0.52 gm (d) 0.31 gmAnswer: (a) In alkaline medium KMnO4 act as ox

    		•
  • Q : Explain the process of adsorption in

    The process of adsorption can occurs in solutions also. This implies that the solid surfaces can also adsorb solutes from solutions. Some clarifying examples are listed below: (i) When an aqueous solution of ethano

    		•
  • Q : Describe Point Groups. For any

    For any symmetric object there is a set of symmetry operations that, together, constitute a mathematical group, called a point group.It is clear from the examples that most molecules have several elements of symmetry. The H2O

    		•
  • Q : Molecular mass from Raoults law Provide

    Provide solution of this question. Determination of correct molecular mass from Raoult's law is applicable to: (a) An electrolyte in solution (b) A non-electrolyte in a dilute solution (c) A non-electrolyte in a concentrated solution (d) An electrolyte in a liquid so

    		•
  • 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

    		•