Halogenoalkanes are also known as haloalkanes or alkyl halides. Halogenoalkanes are compounds in which one or more hydrogen atoms in an alkane have been replaced by halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine).
Example
Types of halogenoalkanes
Halogenoalkanes fall into different classes depending on how the halogen atom is positioned on the chain of carbon atoms.
Primary halogenoalkanes
In a primary (1°) halogenoalkane, the carbon which carries the halogen atom is only attached to one other alkyl group.
Secondary halogenoalkanes
In a secondary (2°) halogenoalkane, the carbon with the halogen attached is joined directly to two other alkyl groups, which may be the same or different.
Tertiary halogenoalkanes
In a tertiary (3°) halogenoalkane, the carbon atom holding the halogen is attached directly to three alkyl groups, which may be any combination of same or different.
