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Q.Explain Haloform reaction.

Kerala DhseKerala DHSE Plus Two Board 2019Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Methyl ketones (and ethanol/secondary alcohols of the type CH3CH(OH)-R) react with a halogen in the presence of NaOH to give a haloform and the sodium salt of a carboxylic acid with one fewer carbon - the haloform reaction.

Carbonyl compounds containing a methyl group attached to the carbonyl carbon (CH3-CO-), and also ethanol/secondary alcohols of the type CH3-CH(OH)-R (which are first oxidised in situ to the methyl ketone by the halogen/NaOH), react with halogens (Cl2, Br2 or I2) in the presence of NaOH. All three alpha-hydrogens of the methyl group are progressively halogenated, and the resulting trihalomethyl ketone is then cleaved by hydroxide ion to give a haloform (CHX3) and the carboxylate salt.

Example (with acetone and iodine - the iodoform test): …

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