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