Background

An organic halide is an organic compound that contains at least one halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine) bonded to its carbon atoms. The chemistry of organic halides is very important and is extensively studied in organic chemistry. Before delving into the details, it is interesting to note that organic halides are used in many areas of our daily lives. They are present in refrigerants, fire extinguishers, solvents, and even in general anesthesia.

The structure is simple, but the functionality and application of organic halides are extensive and sometimes very complex. To fully understand the chemistry of organic halides, let's first familiarize ourselves with the structure of an organic halide and how the different halogens affect their chemical properties. Organic halides are classified as alkyl, aryl or vinyl halides depending on the type of carbon the halogen is bonded to.

Introduction

Organic halides are of great importance in both industry and academia due to them being versatile reagents in a range of chemical transformations. As solvents, they are widely used because of their low reactivity and high stability. However, some organic halides are highly reactive and are used as building blocks in the synthesis of many useful substances such as plastics, drugs, adhesives, paints, etc.

The second area to be explored is the reactivity of organic halides. Many useful reactions involve organic halides such as nucleophilic substitution, elimination and coupling reactions. These reactions are very important for the synthesis of new organic compounds. Understanding the mechanisms of these reactions is essential for the effective handling of organic halides in chemical practice.

Finally, we will look at the applications of organic halides in our daily life. Apart from the areas mentioned earlier, they are also used in the production of refrigerant gases and as blowing agents for plastics and rubbers. Furthermore, they have significant applications in the field of medicine, both as drugs and as reagents in drug synthesis.

Hands-on Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring and Synthesizing Organic Halides: A Hands-on Approach"

Project Objectives:

The project aims to:

1. Explore the concepts of organic halides, their classifications, properties, and reactions.
2. Understand the importance of organic halides in various real-world applications.
3. Perform the synthesis of a simple organic halide in the laboratory.
4. Develop teamwork, research, scientific writing, and laboratory skills.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and will span approximately two weeks, divided into two phases. In the first phase, the students will carry out theoretical research on organic halides, and in the second phase, they will perform a laboratory experiment to synthesize an organic halide.

Phase 1: Theoretical Research

Students are required to research the following aspects of organic halides:

• Structure and classification.
• Physical and chemical properties.
• Common reactions, including nucleophilic substitution, elimination, and coupling reactions.
• Real-world applications of organic halides.

Students should document their research in a detailed and referenced manner, preparing to present it in the form of a seminar to the class.

Phase 2: Laboratory Practical

Under the supervision of a teacher, students are required to synthesize a simple organic halide from an alcohol using a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Students should document the entire experimental process, including the list of materials, methodology, results, and observations.

Required Materials:

• Alcohol (e.g., ethanol).
• Concentrated hydrochloric acid.
• Solvent (ethanol or methanol).
• Test tube or round-bottomed flask.
• Beaker and pipette.
• Heat source.
• PPE (safety goggles, gloves, and apron).

Detailed Step-by-Step Procedure for Conducting the Activity:

1. Students should research and revise the concepts of organic halides.
2. Prepare the workspace and organize all the required materials.
3. Add appropriate amounts of alcohol and hydrochloric acid to the test tube.
4. Gently heat the mixture under reflux until the reaction is complete.
5. Cool the test tube to room temperature.
6. Collect and identify the product of the reaction.
7. Record all observations and results.

Project Deliverables:

1. Theoretical Seminar: Each group should present a 15-20 minutes seminar, discussing the properties, reactions, and applications of organic halides. They must use their theoretical research as the basis for their presentation.

2. Laboratory Report: Each group should submit a comprehensive report of the laboratory procedure performed. The report should include:

• Introduction: Describe the purpose of the experiment and briefly introduce the concepts of organic halides and their synthesis from alcohols.
• Procedure: Describe in detail the laboratory procedure, including the quantities of reagents, reaction conditions, results, and any observations recorded.
• Conclusion: Relate the results of the experiment to the theoretical concepts of organic halides, highlighting any learning outcomes and how the experiment contributed to the understanding of the concepts.
• References: Include a complete list of references used for the research and execution of the project.