--%>

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 : Q what is the basicity of primary

    what is the basicity of primary secondary and tertiary amines in chlorobenzene

  • Q : What are different mechanisms for

    Nucleophilic substitution reactions in halides containing  - X bond may take place through either of the two different mechanisms,S<

  • Q : What is electrolytic dissociation? The

    The Debye Huckel theory shows how the potential energy of an ion in solution depends on the ionic strength of the solution.Except at infinite dilution, electrostatic interaction between ions alters the properties of the solution from those excepted from th

  • 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 : Surface Tension Vapour Pressure The

    The vapor pressure of small liquid drops depends on the drop size. Although the surface properties of a liquid are different from those of the bulk liquid, the special surface properties can be ignored except in a few situations. One is the case in which a liquid is dispersed into fine dr

  • Q : Freezing point of equimolal aqueous

    The freezing point of equi-molal aqueous solution will be maximum for:            (a) C6H5NH3+Cl-(aniline hydrochloride)  (b) Ca(NO3

  • Q : Problem on colligative properties

    Choose the right answer from following. The magnitude of colligative properties in all colloidal dispersions is : (a) Lowerthan solution (b)Higher than solution(c) Both (d) None

  • Q : What are aliphatic amines and its

    In common system, the aliphatic amines are named by using prefix for alkyl group followed by the word amine.In case of mixed amines, the name of alkyl groups are arranged in alphabetical order. This is followed by the word amine. However, for simple secondary or tertiary amines anothe

  • Q : Molecular energies and speeds The

    The average translational kinetic energies and speeds of the molecules of a gas can be calculated.The result that the kinetic energy of 1 mol of the molecules of a gas is equal to 3/2 RT can be used to obtain numerical values for the

  • Q : Question based on vapour pressure While

    While a substance is dissolved in a solvent, the vapour pressure of the solvent is decreased. This results in: (a) An increase in the boiling point of the solution (b) A decrease in the boiling point of solvent (c) The solution having a higher freezing point than