Haloalkanes and Haloarenes - Introduction

Description:

What are R − X or Ar − X?

When hydrogen in a hydrocarbon (aliphatic or aromatic) gets replaced by a halogen atom, haloalkane or haloarene is obtained.

In haloalkane (R − X), halogen is attached to an sp³ atom, while in haloarene (Ar − X), halogen is attached to an sp² atom.

Ethyl bromide − CH₃CH₂ − Br (sp³C)

Bromobenzene − C₆H₅Br (sp²C)

Applications

• Chlorine containing antibiotic, chloramphenicol, is used for the treatment of typhoid fever.
• Chloroquine is used for the treatment of malaria.
• DDT used as an insecticide.