Hydrolysis: R-X + HOHR=OH + HX
In this reaction, the halogen atom in the haloalkane molecule is replaced by a hydroxyl group from a water molecule. This reaction is relatively slow, slow, and reversible. If hydrolysis is carried out with a strong base aqueous solution, the reaction proceeds to the right because the hydrogen halide produced in the reaction is neutralized by the base, favoring the hydrolysis direction.
Elimination: RCH₂CH₂X + KOHRCH=CH₂ + KX + H₂O
In this reaction, the haloalkane, upon heating in a base alcoholic solution, loses one hydrogen halide molecule to form an alkene.
Elimination: RCH₂CH₂X + KOHRCH=CH₂ + KX + H₂O
In this reaction, the haloalkane, upon heating in a base alcoholic solution, loses one hydrogen halide molecule to form an alkene.
Extended Information
Halogenated hydrocarbons can react with various metals to form organometallic compounds, among which Grignard reagents are the most important class of compounds. This occurs when a haloalkane reacts with magnesium in anhydrous diethyl ether to form an organomagnesium compound, which then couples with a reactive haloalkane such as allyl or benzyl halides to form a hydrocarbon.
Many halogenated hydrocarbons are used as fire extinguishing agents, refrigerants (such as Freon), cleaning agents (common dry cleaning agents, machine cleaners), anesthetic sources (such as chloroform, now obsolete), insecticides (such as hexachlorocyclohexane, now banned), and raw materials in the polymer industry (such as vinyl chloride and tetrafluoroethylene).