Tetrahaloalkane -- Carbon Tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride is the standard example of a tetrahaloalkane. Preparation: (1) chlorination of methane -- methane + excess Cl2 (sunlight) gives CCl4 + 4 HCl as the major product; (2) carbon disulphide + chlorine gas, over anhydrous AlCl3 as catalyst, gives CCl4 + S2Cl2. Physical properties: a colourless liquid with a characteristic smell, insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Chemical properties: (i) Oxidation -- CCl4 + hot water/steam gives the poisonous gas phosgene (COCl2) …