Preparation Of Haloalkane
By Anup Pokhrel
Preparation of Haloalkanes.
The general method of preparation of haloalkane.
1. From alkanes Halogenation.
Alkanes are good starting material to prepare haloalkanes. When they are treated with sunlight, heat or suitable catalyst, haloalkanes are obtained. This reaction is called halogenation.
The reaction of an alkane with halogen in presence of sunlight is called photo halogenation.
example.
Sometimes a mixture of the product is obtained on halogenation of alkanes.
The reactivity of halogen in reaction follows the order
Important question.
Fluoro,iodo and bromo alkanes are generally not prepared by halogenation. Why?
Fluoro is not generally prepared by halogenation because it is a highly reactive element and forms carbon as.
Bromo is not generally prepared by halogenation because the reactions are very slow and takes much time.
Iodo is not prepared by halogenation because the reaction is reversible. But in presence of oxidising agent like HIO3, HNO3, haloalkane can be formed.
2. From alkenes. Markovnikovs rule.
Alkenes undergo electrophilic addition with halogen acid to give haloalkanes.
The addition of halogen acids to an unsymmetrical alkene forms two different haloalkanes of which major product is predicted according to markivnikov’s rule.
It states that ” The electronegativity part of an unsymmetrical reagent to be added across a double of an unsymmetrical alkene goes to that carbon containing less number of hydrogen atom”
This is the best method for the preparation of haloalkane in which alcohols are accordingly converted into corresponding haloalkanes by the action of following reagents.,
a. By the action of halogen acid.
Chloro alkane is obtained from alcohols by treating them Luca’s reagent (1:1) mixture of Conc. HCl and anhydrous ZnCl2)
Similarly, the reactivity of halogen follows the order.
b. By the action of phosphorous halide.
When alcohols are refluxed with phosphorous halides, haloalkanes are obtained.
Example.
Alcohols reacts with thionyl chloride in presence of small amount of pyridine to form chloroalkane.
This method is regarded as the best methods for preparation of chloroalkanes from alcohol. Because the by-products of this reaction being in gaseous form, escape instantly leaving a pure chloro alkane.