Tetrahalomethane

Tetrahalomethanes are fully halogenated methane derivatives of general formula CBr_kCl_lF_mI_n.

Tetrahalomethanes are on the border of inorganic and organic chemistry, thus they can be assigned both inorganic and organic names by IUPAC: tetrafluoromethane - carbon tetrafluoride, tetraiodomethane - carbon tetraiodide, difluorodichloromethane - carbon dichloride difluoride.

Each halogen (F, Cl, Br, I) forms corresponding halomethane, but their stability decreases in order CF₄ > CH₄ > CCl₄ > CBr₄ > CI₄ from exceptionally stable gaseous tetrafluoromethane with bond energy 515 kJ.mol^-1 to solid tetraiodomethane. It depends on bond energy.

Also many mixed halomethanes are well known.

Uses

Fluorine and chlorine, sometimes bromine-substituted halomethanes are used as refrigerants.

See also

* Haloalkanes
* Halomethanes
* Trihalomethanes
* Halides