- In aliphatic or aromatic compounds, the replacement of hydrogen atom(s) by halogen atoms(s) results in the formation of alkyl halide (haloalkane) and aryl halide (haloarene), respectively.
- In case of haloalkanes, halogen atom is attached to the sp3 hybridised carbon atom of an alkyl group whereas in haloarenes, halogen atom is attached to sp2 hybridised carbon atom of an aryl group.
- Haloalkanes or haloarenes are classified as mono, di- tri-, tetra- haloalkanes or haloarenes, etc., according to the one, two, three, four, etc., halogen atoms respectively present in their molecule.
- On the basis of the halogen atom attached to primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms alkyl halides are further classified as classified as 1°, 2°, 3°, allylic, benzylic, vinylic and aryl derivatives.
Classification of Haloalkane s and Haloar enes
- ➥ Alkyl halides or haloalkanes (R–X)
- ➥ Allylic halides This have X bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to C–C double bond.
- ➥ Benezylic halidesThis have X bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to a benzene ring.
Compounds containing sp2 C–X Bond
- ➥ Vinylic halides This have a halogen atom (X) bonded to a C–C double bond.
- ➥ Aryl halides This have a halogen atom bonded to a benzene ring.
Nature Of C-x Bond
Since halogen atoms are more electronegative than carbon, the carbon-halogen
bond of alkyl halide is polarised; the carbon atom bears a partial positive
charge whereas the halogen atom bears a partial negative charge.
Methods Of Preparation Of Haloalkanes
Haloalkanes can be prepared from displacement of alcoholic group in alkyl alcohol by halogen acid, PCl5 and PCl3. Haloalkanes can also be prepared by addition of halogen acids or halogens on alkene and alkyne. Alkyl halides can aslo be prepared by free radical halogenation of alkene.
Finkelstein Reaction
Finkelstein Reaction
$$R-X+NaI\xrightarrow[X = Cl, Br]{acetone} R—I + NaX$$
Swarts Reaction
$$\\ H_3C- Br + AgF\longrightarrow H_3C -F + AgBr$$
$$\\ Hg_2F_2,\space COF_2 \space and \space SbF_3 \space \text{can also be used as a reagent for Swarts reaction.}$$
Hunsdiecker Reaction
$$\\CH_3COOAg + Br_2\xrightarrow[CCl_4]{}CH_3Br + AgBr + CO_2$$
Free Radical halogenat ion of alkane s
Addition of hydrogen halides on alkene s
Physical Properties Of Haloalkanes
- Boiling point orders 1. R-I > R - Br > R-Cl > R -F
- CH3–(CH2)2–CH2Br > (CH3)2CHCH2Br > (CH3)3CBr
- CH3CH2CH2 > CH3CH2X > CH3X
- Bond strength of haloalkanes decreases as the size of the halogen atom increases. Thus, the order of bond strength is CH3F > CH3Cl > CH3Br > CH3I.
- Dipole moment decreases as the electronegativity of the halogen decreases.
- Haloalkanes though polar but are insoluble in water as they do not form hydrogen bonding with water.
- Density order is RI> RBr > RCl > RF (for the same alkyl group) CH3I > C2H5I > C3H7I
Chemical Properties Of Haloalkanes
Relative reactivity of alkyl halides for same alkyl group is RI > RBr > RCI> RF
(I) Nucleophilic Substitution R eactions (S N reactions)
Nucleophilic Substitution R eactions
Characteristics of SN1 Mechanism | Characteristics of SN2 Mechanism |
Kinetics: First-order kinetics; rate = k[RX] | Kinetics: Second-order kinetics; rate = k[RX][:Nu] |
Mechanism: Two steps | Mechanism: One step |
Stereochemistry: Trigonal planar carbocation intermediate. Racemization at a single stereogenic center | Stereochemistry: Backside attack of the nucleophile. Inversion of configuration at a stereogenic center |
Identity of R: More substituted halides react fastest. | Identity of R: Unhindered halides react fastest. |
Rate : R3CX > R2CHX > RCH2X > CH3X | Rate : CH3X > RCH2X > R2CHX > R3CX |
(II) Eliminat ion Reactions
Dehydrohalogenation is a -elimination reaction in which halogen is from α carbon atom and the hydrogen from the β carbon according to Saytzeff rule, e.g.,
(III) Reduction
$$\text{C}_2\text{H}_5 — \text{Br} + \text{H}_2\xrightarrow[]{\text{Ni, 575 K}}\text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + \text{HBr}\\\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{I} + \text{HI}\xrightarrow[]{\text{Red P, 420 K}}\text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + \text{I}_2$$
(IV) Reaction with Metals
(1) Wurtz reaction: | $$\\ RX + 2Na + XR \xrightarrow[]{Dry ether}R—R (alkane) + 2NaX$$ |
(2) Wurtz-Fitting reaction: | $$\\C_6H_3—Cl + 2Na + Cl CH_3\xrightarrow[]{Dry ether}C_6H_5—CH_3+ 2NaCl$$ |
(3) Reaction with Mg: | $$\\C_2H_5Br + Mg\xrightarrow[]{Dry ether}\underset{\mathrm{(Grignard’s reagent)}}{C_2H_5—Mg—Br}$$ |
Methods Of Preparation Of Haloarenes
(a) By Electrophilic Substitution Reaction:
(b) Sandmeyer’s Reaction
(c) Gattermann Reaction:
(d) In the presence of KI
(e) Balz-Schiemann reaction:
Chemical Properties Of Haloarenes
$$\\\underset{\mathrm{Chlorobenzene}}{C_6H_5Cl + NaOH}\xrightarrow[300 atm]{350°C}\underset{\mathrm{Chlorobenzene}}{C_6H_5OH + NaCl}$$
$$\\\underset{\mathrm{Chlorobenzene}}{C_6H_5Cl + 2NH_3}\xrightarrow[50 atm]{250°C}\underset{\mathrm{Aniline}}{C_6H_5NH_2 + NH_4Cl}$$
$$\\\underset{\mathrm{Chlorobenzene}}{C_6H_5Cl + CuCN}\xrightarrow[Pyridine]{250°C}\underset{\mathrm{Phenyl cyanide}}{C_6H_5CN + CuCl}$$
Polyhalogen Compounds: Uses And Environmental Effects
(i) Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)
- It is used as solvent, paint remover, propellant in aerosols, process solvent in
the manufacture of drugs and in the metal cleaning and finishing solvent.
(ii) Triiodomethane (Iodoform)
- They are used as an antiseptic due to the liberation of free iodine. It is not because of Iodoform itself.
(iii) Trichloromethane (Chloroform)
- It is used as anesthetic because when pure chloroform is inhaled it affects
the heart due to which after mixing with ether and other suitable anesthetics
chloroform can be used as anesthetic.
(iv) Tetra Chloromethane (Carbon Tetrachloride)
- They are used in manufacturing refrigerants, propellants for aerosol cans and for the synthesis of chlorofluorocarbons, pharmaceutical etc.
(v) Freons
- The Chlorofluorocarbon compounds of methane and ethane are jointly called freons.
- They are very stable, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and unreactive liquefiable gases.
(vi) P,P'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
- DDT stands to be the first chlorinated organic insecticides. It is highly
poisonous to all living organisms as it does not get metabolized
rapidly by animals and gets deposited and stored in the fatty tissues.
Chemistry Most Likely Question Bank
CBSE Class 12 for 2025 Exam