Organochloride

An organochloride, organochlorine compound, chlorocarbon, chlorinated hydrocarbon, is an organic compound containing at least one covalently bonded atom of chlorine as the dominant functionality, of which chloroalkane and chlorinated solvent as examples are major members. Their wide structural variety and divergent chemical properties lead to a broad range of names and applications. Many such compounds are controversial because of the effects of these compounds on the environment and on human and animal health.

Physical and chemical properties

Chlorination modifies the physical properties of hydrocarbons in several ways. The compounds are typically denser than water due to the higher atomic weight of chlorine vs hydrogen. Aliphatic organochlorides are alkylating agents because chloride is a leaving group.

Natural occurrence

Many organochlorine compounds have been isolated from natural sources ranging from bacteria to humans. Chlorinated organic compounds are found in nearly every class of biomolecules including alkaloids, terpenes, amino acids, flavonoids, steroids, and fatty acids. Organochlorides, including dioxins, are produced in the high temperature environment of forest fires, and dioxins have been found in the preserved ashes of lightning-ignited fires that predate synthetic dioxins. In addition, a variety of simple chlorinated hydrocarbons including dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride have been isolated from marine algae. A majority of the chloromethane in the environment is produced naturally by biological decomposition, forest fires, and volcanoes. The natural organochloride epibatidine, an alkaloid isolated from tree frogs, has potent analgesic effects and has stimulated research into new pain medication.