chlorinecarbon

Chlorinecarbon is not a standard chemical term but an informal descriptor used to refer to compounds that contain chlorine bound to carbon, collectively known as organochlorines. The term encompasses simple alkyl chlorides such as chloromethane, vinyl chlorides, aryl chlorides, and more complex polychlorinated hydrocarbons. Because the carbon–chlorine bond can be reactive in various contexts, chlorinecarbon compounds cover a wide range of reactivity and applications.

In terms of structure, chlorinated compounds feature one or more C–Cl bonds. These bonds occur in saturated aliphatic systems (R–Cl), in alkenyl chlorides (vinyl chlorides), and in aromatic chlorides (Ar–Cl). The properties of chlorinecarbon compounds vary with chlorine substitution: volatility, polarity, and susceptibility to nucleophilic substitution or elimination depend on substitution pattern and neighboring groups.

Synthesis and transformations rely on well-known halogenation and substitution chemistry. Methods include radical chlorination of hydrocarbons using Cl2 under light or heat, substitution of alcohols or carboxylic derivatives with chlorinating reagents such as thionyl chloride or phosphorus pentachloride, and electrophilic chlorination of arenes. Reactions of alkyl chlorides often proceed by SN2 or SN1 mechanisms, while vinyl and aryl chlorides tend to undergo oxidative addition or nucleophilic substitution under catalysis.

Applications include the production of vinyl chloride for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated solvents (e.g., chloroform, carbon tetrachloride in historical contexts), and various intermediates in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Many chlorinated organics are persistent in the environment and pose toxicological risks, leading to regulatory controls and ongoing research into safer alternatives.

See also: organochlorines, halogenation, chlorination.