Halocarbon Functional Group

What is a Functional Group?

A functional group is the group of atoms in a compound that affects its chemical property. The atoms in a functional group are bonded by a covalent bond. Halo, amino, hydroxyl, phosphate, sulfhydryl, methyl, carbonyl and carboxyl are primary functional groups.

What is a Halocarbon?

A halocarbon is a functional group in which covalent bonds link one or more carbon atoms with one or more halogen atoms, resulting in organofluorine, organochlorine, organobromine, or organoiodine compounds.

Table of Content

• Introduction of Halocarbon Functional Group
• Chemical families of Halocarbon Functional Group
• Significance of Halocarbon Functional Group
• Dangers of Halocarbon Functional Group
• Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Introduction of Halocarbon Functional Group

A halocarbon is a functional group in which covalent bonds link one or more carbon atoms with one or more halogen atoms, resulting in organofluorine, organochlorine, organobromine, or organoiodine compounds.

• They have a general formula R-X.

Halocarbons are also known as halogenated compounds or organohalides. Out of all halocarbons, chlorine halocarbon or organochloride has a great significance in industries. In contrast, the other halocarbons are typically used in organic synthesis. Prozac, an anti-depressant, contains trifluoromethyl groups, i.e. halocarbon.

Chemical families

Halocarbons are classified in an identical way corresponding alkanes are classified. We can classify them as.

• Haloalkanes
• Haloalkenes
• Haloalkynes

Haloalkanes: In haloalkanes, carbon atoms are joined by a single bond.

Haloalkanes: In haloalkenes, carbon atoms are joined by one or more double bonds.

Haloalkynes: In haloalkenes, carbon atoms are joined by one or more triple bonds.

Significance of Halocarbon Functional Group

Halocarbons are primarily used in the following sectors.

• Halocarbons are used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
• They are used in manufacturing solvents like dichloromethane, chloroform, perchloroethylene and benzyl chloride.
• They are used in manufacturing pesticides and fire-resistant oils.
• They are used in manufacturing adhesives, elastomers and sealants.
• They are used in manufacturing plastics and plasticisers foam.
• Sucralose, a halocarbon, is used as a sweetener.

Dangers of Halocarbon Functional Group

The ozone layer protects us from the dangerous UV rays of the sun. The halogen of the halocarbon functional group reacts photochemically with the stratospheric ozone layer, thereby depleting it. The ozone layer depletion can lead to skin cancer and climate change.