Structure and Uses of Alkyl Halides

Structure and Uses of Alkyl Halides

Contents

• Structure and uses of important compounds

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lecture, student will be able to

• Write the structure and uses of alkyl halides

Ethyl chloride

Structure of Ethyl chloride

• Also called as chloroethane or monochloroethane

Uses of Ethyl chloride

• Refrigerant, an aerosol spray propellant, an anesthetic

• Treating cellulose to ethyl cellulose

• Mild topical anesthetic

Chloroform

Structure of Chloroform

• Also as trichloromethane

Uses of Chloroform

• Precursor to refrigerants

• Good solvent in chemistry

• Anesthetic

Trichloroethylene

Structure of Trichloroethylene

• Non-flammable liquid with sweet smell

• Abbreviated as TCE

Uses of Trichloroethylene

• Volatile anesthetic

• Good solvent in chemistry

• Precursor to refrigerants

Tetrachloroethylene

Structure of Tetrachloroethylene

• Also as tetrachloroethene or perchloroethylene

• Abbreviated as perc or PERC

Uses of Tetrachloroethylene

• Dry-cleaning of fabrics- dry-cleaning fluid

• Sweet odor

• Good solvent in chemistry- volatile, highly stable and non-flammable

Dichloromethane

Structure of Dichloromethane

• Also as methylene chloride or DCM

• Volatile liquid with moderately sweet aroma

Uses of Dichloromethane

• Good solvent in chemistry

• In paints, degreaser

• Extraction of tea and coffee

• Aerosol spray propellant

Tetrachloromethane

Structure of Tetrachloromethane

• Also as carbon tetrachloride

• Colorless liquid with sweet smell

Uses of Tetrachloromethane

• Good solvent in chemistry

• Fire extinguisher

• Precursor to refrigerants

• Cleaning agent

Iodoform

Structure of Iodoform

• Also as tri-iodomethane, carbon triiodide, and methyl triiodide.

• Pale yellow, crystalline, volatile substance

Uses of Iodoform

• Disinfectant

• Stopped using as antiseptic

Summary 

• Ethyl chloride uses as mild topical anasethetic

• Tetrachloromethane is a good solvent