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Haloalkanes and Haloarenes are important topics in NEET Organic Chemistry. These are organic compounds containing halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br, I) covalently bonded to carbon.
Haloalkanes (Alkyl halides) – Halogen attached to sp³-hybridized carbon.
Haloarenes (Aryl halides) – Halogen attached to sp²-hybridized carbon in an aromatic ring.
These compounds are widely studied in NEET because they exhibit unique reactivity, substitution and elimination reactions, and are fundamental to understanding organic mechanisms.
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NEET aspirants must focus on IUPAC naming rules:
Haloalkanes: Prefix halogen (fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo) + parent alkane name + position number.
Example: CH3CH2Br → Bromoethane
Haloarenes: Halogen + benzene derivative name.
Example: C6H5Cl → Chlorobenzene
Understanding systematic nomenclature is frequently tested in NEET MCQs.
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes show specific trends:
Boiling points: Increase with molecular mass and polarizability.
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents.
Density: Haloalkanes are denser than water due to halogen atoms.
Color and state: Most are colorless liquids or solids.
Physical properties are often linked to halogen type, carbon-hybridization, and molecular interactions in NEET questions.
Haloalkanes primarily undergo substitution and elimination reactions:
Nucleophilic Substitution (SN1 & SN2)
SN1: Unimolecular, forms carbocation, occurs in tertiary haloalkanes.
SN2: Bimolecular, concerted reaction, occurs in primary haloalkanes.
NEET focuses on reaction type based on structure, solvent, and halogen nature.
Elimination Reactions (Dehydrohalogenation)
Forms alkenes by removal of HX.
Zaitsev's rule predicts major product in elimination reactions.
Other Reactions
Reaction with alkali (hydrolysis) forming alcohols.
Reaction with cyanide ion forming nitriles.
Reaction with silver nitrate used in qualitative tests to identify halides.
NEET questions emphasize mechanism, order, and product prediction.
Haloarenes behave differently due to resonance stabilization of the aromatic ring:
Electrophilic Substitution Reactions (EAS)
Halogen directs substitution to ortho and para positions due to electron-withdrawing effect.
Common reactions include nitration, sulfonation, halogenation, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation/acylation.
Nucleophilic Substitution in Haloarenes
Requires strong nucleophiles and electron-withdrawing groups at ortho/para positions.
Reactivity Trend
Reactivity: Haloalkanes > Haloarenes
Reason: sp³ carbon in haloalkanes is more reactive toward nucleophiles than sp² carbon in haloarenes.
Understanding differences in reactivity is critical for NEET questions.
Nature of Carbon-Halogen Bond
Bond strength decreases down the group (C-F > C-Cl > C-Br > C-I).
Weaker bonds react faster in substitution.
Type of Carbon Atom
Tertiary > Secondary > Primary for SN1 reactions.
Primary > Secondary > Tertiary for SN2 reactions.
Solvent Effects
Polar protic solvents favor SN1.
Polar aprotic solvents favor SN2.
NEET often tests reaction mechanism based on structure, bond strength, and solvent type.
Haloalkanes
Solvents, refrigerants, and intermediates in organic synthesis.
Example: Chloroform (CHCl3) as anesthetic.
Haloarenes
Used in dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
Example: Chlorobenzene in manufacturing herbicides and pesticides.
Industrial Applications
Halogenated compounds as plasticizers, flame retardants, and solvents.
Connecting theoretical knowledge with real-life applications is a high-yield approach for NEET questions.
Haloalkanes and haloarenes are often toxic and environmentally persistent.
Many are ozone-depleting substances, e.g., CFCs.
NEET sometimes includes questions on green chemistry and environmental impact of halogenated compounds.
Focus on mechanisms of substitution and elimination reactions.
Understand differences between haloalkanes and haloarenes in reactivity.
Revise IUPAC nomenclature and physical properties systematically.
Use tables and flowcharts to memorize trends in halogen reactivity.
Connect applications and environmental effects to conceptual understanding.
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes are high-yield topics in NEET Organic Chemistry. By mastering nomenclature, physical and chemical properties, mechanisms, and applications, students can confidently answer a variety of NEET questions.
At StudentBro.in, we provide concise, clear, and exam-focused notes for NEET 2026 aspirants, enabling them to revise quickly, strengthen conceptual clarity, and perform better in exams.
