Halogenoalkanes - Introduction (Edexcel International A Level Chemistry)

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Halogenoalkanes - Introduction

Naming halogenoalkanes

  • We use the prefixes 
    • Fluoro for fluorine
    • Chloro for chlroine
    • Bromo for bromine
    • Iodo for iodine
  • The name of the halogenoalkane is based on the orignal alkane
    • So CH3CH2CH2Br would be 1-bromopropane 
  • The position of the halogen atom must be taken into account 
    • So CH3CH(Br)CH3 would be 2-bromopropane 
  • Finally the substituents are listed alphabetically
    • So  CH3CH(Cl)CH2Br would be 1-bromo-2-chloropropane 

Classifying halogenoalkanes

  • Halogenoalkanes can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on the number of carbon atoms attached to the C-X functional group 
    • A primary halogenoalkane is when a halogen is attached to a carbon that itself is attached to one other alkyl group
    • A secondary halogenoalkane is when a halogen is attached to a carbon that itself is attached to two other alkyl groups
    • A tertiary halogenoalkane is when a halogen is attached to a carbon that itself is attached to three other alkyl groups

Halogen Compounds Halogenoalkanes, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes

Examiner Tip

You are also expected to be able to draw structural, displayed and skeletal formulae of halogenoalkanes

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Richard

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