Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

A selection of key terms and definitions related to haloalkanes and haloarenes for exam preparation.

Haloalkane

An organic compound where one or more halogen atoms replace hydrogen atoms in an alkane.

Haloarene

An organic compound where one or more halogen atoms replace hydrogen atoms in an aromatic compound.

Electrophilic substitution

A reaction where an electrophile reacts with a nucleophile, such as in the reaction of haloarenes.

Nucleophilic substitution

A reaction in which a nucleophile forms a bond with a carbon atom and displaces a leaving group, common in alkyl halides.

Polyhalogen compounds

Organic compounds that contain two or more halogen atoms.

Chloramphenicol

An antibiotic containing chlorine, effective in treating typhoid fever.

Thyroxine

An iodine-containing hormone produced by the body, deficiency causes goiter.

Grignard reagent

An organometallic compound formed by the reaction of an alkyl or aryl halide with magnesium.

SN1 reaction

A unimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction, characterized by the formation of a carbocation.

SN2 reaction

A bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction, characterized by a single transition state where the nucleophile attacks and the leaving group departs.

Chiral

A molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image, exhibiting optical activity.

Racemization

The process of converting an optically active compound into a racemic mixture.

Zaitsev’s rule

In elimination reactions, the more substituted alkene is usually the major product.

Ambident nucleophiles

Nucleophiles that can attach through two different atoms, such as cyanide (carbon or nitrogen).

Environmental effects of polyhalogen compounds

Certain polyhalogen compounds can persist in the environment and contribute to ozone layer depletion.

Dichloromethane

A colorless volatile liquid used as a solvent, also known as methylene chloride.

Freons

Chlorofluorocarbon compounds used as refrigerants, known for their stability and role in ozone depletion.

DDT

A chlorinated insecticide that was widely used but has been banned in many countries due to environmental effects.

Stereochemistry

The study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior.