Carbon tetrachloride - Tetra haloalkane

Tetra haloalkane

Carbon tetrachloride is a good example for tetra haloalkane

Carbon tetrachloride

Preparation

1. Chlorination of methane

The reaction of methane with excess of chlorine in the presence of sunlight will give carbon tetrachloride as the major product.

2. Action of carbondisulphide with chlorine gas

Carbon disulphide reacts with chlorine gas in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3 as catalyst giving carbon tetrachloride

Physical properties

i. Carbon tetrachloride is a colourless liquid with its specific smell

ii. It is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents

Chemical properties

(i) Oxidation

Carbon tetrachloride reacts with hot water or with hot water vapour producing the poisonous gas, phosgene.

(ii) Reduction

Carbon tetrachloride is reduced by iron powder in dilute HCl medium to form chloroform