Organic Halide

Organic halides are organic compounds containing a halogen atom bonded to a carbon (C) atom. Fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), and iodine (I) are all types of halogen atoms. A compound that contains a carbon atom bonded to a fluorine atom (C-F) is called an organofluoride. If the carbon atom is part of a chain of carbon atoms, the organofluoride compound is referred to as an alkyl fluoride. If the carbon atom is contained in a benzene or phenyl ring, the organofluoride is called an aryl fluoride. Other halide compounds are named in a similar fashion.

The reactivity of organic halides depends on the halogen atom that is bonded to the carbon atom in the particular compound. Organoiodides are the most reactive and can be converted into many other compounds. Organobromides are less reactive than organoiodides but more reactive than organochlorides. Organofluorides are the least reactive of the organic halides.