Chemistry Formula

Haloalkanes and
Haloarenes
1|Page

Chemistry Notes for class 12 Chapter 10

Classification of Halogen Derivatives

On the basis of number of halogen atoms present, halogen derivatives are classified as mono,
di, tri, tetra, etc., halogen derivatives, e.g.,

On the basis of the nature of the carbon to which halogen atom is attached, halogen derivatives
are classified as 1°, 2°, 3°, allylic, benzylic, vinylic and aryl derivatives, e.g.,
2|Page

General Methods of Preparation of Haloalkanes

1. From Alcohols

In Groove’s method, ZnC12 is used to weaken the C-OH bond. In case of 3° alcohols, ZnC12 is
not required.

The reactivity order of halogen acids is HI > HBr > HCl.

Darzen procedure is the best method for preparing alkyl halides from alcohols since both the by
products (SO2 and HCl) are gaseous and escape easily.

2. Free Radical Halogenation of Alkanes

Addition of Hydrogen Halides on Alkenes

)
3|Page

1. Finkelstein Reaction

2. Swarts Reaction

H3C – Br + AgF → H3C – F + AgBr

Hg2F2, COF2 and SbF3 can also be used as a reagent for Swarts reaction.

3. Hunsdiecker Reaction

Physical Properties of Haloalkanes

1. Boiling point orders

1. R – I > R – Br > R – CI > R – F

2. Bond strength of haloalkanes decreases as the size of the halogen atom increases. Thus, the
order of bond strength is

CH3F > CR3Cl > CR3Br > CH3I

3. Dipole moment decreases as the electronegativity of the halogen decreases.

4. Haloalkanes though polar but are insoluble in water as they do not form hydrogen bonding
with water.

5. Density order is

RI > RBr > RCl > RF (For the same alkyl group)

CH3I > C2H5I > C3H7I

Chemical Reactions of Haloalkanes

1. Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions (SN reactions)

)
4|Page

kCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution, which is ambident
nucleophile and bind with carbon side to form as the major product, while AgCN is covalent
and form isocyanide as the major product.

Like KCN, KNO2 form R-ONO while AgNO2 produces R-NO2 as product. Vinyl chloride is
less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions due to resonance.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions are of two types

(a) SN1 type (Unimolecular nucleophilic reactions proceed in two steps:

)
5|Page

Rate, r = k [RX). It is a first order reaction.

Reactivity order of alkyl halide towards SN1 mechanism

3° > 2° > 1°

Polar solvents, low concentration of nucleophiles and weak nucleophiles favour SN1
mechanism.

In SN1 reactions, partial racemisation occurs due to the possibility of frontal as well as backside
attack on planar carbocation.

(b) SN2 type (Bimolecular nucleophilic substitution) These reactions proceed in one step and is
a second order reaction with r = k[RX] [Nu].

During SN2 reaction, inversion of configuration occurs (Walden inversion) i.e., starting with
dextrorotatory halide a laevo product is obtained and vice-versa, e.g.,

)
6|Page

Reactivity of halides towards SN2 mechanism is

1° > 2° > 3°

Rate of reaction in SN2 mechanism depends on the strength of the attacking nucleophile.
Strength of some common nucleophiles is

:CN- > : I- > : OR- > : OH- > CH3COO: > H2O > F-

Non-polar solvents, strong nucleophiles and high concentration of nucleophiles favour SN2
mechanism.

Relative rates of some alkyl halides in SN1 and SN2 reactions are in the order

Resonating structure of benzyl carbocations are

)
7|Page

Relative reactivity of alkyl halides for same alkyl group is

RI > RBr > RCI > RF

2. Elimination Reactions

Dehydrohalogenation is a β – elimination reaction in which halogen is from α-carbon atom and

Ease of dehydrohalogenation among halides

3° > 2° > 1°

3. Reduction

4. Reaction with Metals

)
8|Page

Grignard reagent is never isolated in the solid state as it explodes in dry state. So it is used as
ethereal solution.

5. lsomerisation

General Methods of Preparation of Aryl Halides

1. By Halogenation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

It is an electrophilic substitution reaction.

2. By Side Chain Halogenation

)
9|Page

(It involves free radical mechanism.)

3. From Benzene Diazonium Salt

4. From Phenol

Physical Properties of Aryl Halides

1. Aryl halides are colourless liquids or colourless solids with characteristic odour.

)
10 | P a g e

2. Boiling point generally increases with increase in the size of aryl group or halogen atom.
Boiling point order

Ar – I > Ar – Br > Ar – Cl > Ar – F

3. The melting point of p -isomer is more than 0- and m-isomer.

This is because of more symmetrical nature of p-isomer.

4. Due to resonance in chlorobenzene, C-CI bond is shorter and hence, its dipole moment is
less than that ofcyclohexylchloride.

Chemical Properties of Aryl Halides

1. Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction

Aryl halides are less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reaction. Their low reactivity is
attributed due to the following reasons:

1. Due to resonance, C-X bond has partial double bond character.

However, aryl halides having electron withdrawing groups (like – NO2, -SO3H, etc.) at ortho
and para positions undergo nucleophilic substitution reaction easily.

Presence of electron withdrawing group (-NO2) increases the reactivity.

)
11 | P a g e

2. Electrophilic Substitution Reactions

Halogens are deactivating but O, p-directing. Thus, chlorination, nitration, sulphonation and
Friedel Craft’s reaction give a mixture of o- and P- chloro substituted derivatives.

(i) Halogenation

(ii) Nitration

)
12 | P a g e

(iii) Sulphonation

(iv) Friedel-Crafts reaction

3. Reaction with Metals

(i) Wurtz Fittig reaction

)
13 | P a g e

(ii) Fitting reaction

(iii) Ullmann reaction

Dlhalogen Derivatives

Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is widely used as a solvent, as a propellant in aerosols. Direct

Trihalogen Derivatives

1. Chloroform [Trichloromethane, CHCl3]

Methods of preparation

)
14 | P a g e

Properties

1. Oxidation of CHCl3 gives poisonous gas phosgene (carbonyl chloride).

To avoid this oxidation CHCl3 iI .toreci in dark brown bottles and filled to the brim. 1%
ethanol is added to chloroform which converts harmful phosgene gas into diethyl carbonate.

2. CHCl3 is widely used in the production of freon refrigerant R-22.

3. On nitration, it gives tear producing insecticide substance chloropicrin.

2. Iodoform (tri-iodornethane, CHl3)

Iodoform is prepared by iodoform reaction.

)
15 | P a g e

Compounds containing either CH3CO- or CH3CH(OH) group form yellow colour iodoform
with I2 and NaOH.

Iodoform when comes in contact with organic matter, decomposes easily to free iodine, an
antiseptic. Due to its objectionable smell, it has been replaced by other formulations containing
iodine.

Polyhalogen Derivatives

1. Tetrachloromethane (Carbon Tetrachloride, CCl4 )

Preparation

CCI4 is a colourless, non-inflammable, poisonous liquid, soluble in alcohol and ether.

Uses

Carbon tetrachloride is used

1. as a solvent for oils, fats, resins

2. Freons

The chlorofluorocarbon compounds of methane and ethane are collectively known as freons.
These are usually produced for aerosol propellants, refrigeration and air conditioning purposes.
Carbon tetra chloride when reacts with antimony trifluoride in the presence of SbCl5 as catalyst,
dichlorofluromethane (freon) is obtained.

3. DDT (p, p’-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)

)
16 | P a g e

DDT is the first chlorinated organic insecticide. Its stability and fat solubility’is a great
problem.

It is prepared from chloral and chlorobenzene in the presence of conc. H2SO4·

4. Perchloroethane (C2Cl6)

It is used as moth repellant and is also known as artificial camphor.