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How do the densities of alkyl fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides compare with water?
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organohalogen compound
Vinyl chloride is an organohalogen compound that has important industrial applications. When treated with certain catalysts, vinyl chloride monomers undergo polymerization and form the larger compound known as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC is used in the manufacture of numerous products, including packaging films and water pipes.
The densities of alkyl halides are influenced by intermolecular attractive forces and generally increase with the atomic number of the halogen, meaning alkyl fluorides are the least dense and alkyl iodides are the most dense.1
When compared to water, the densities of these compounds follow a consistent pattern:
- Alkyl fluorides and chlorides: These are generally less dense than water.1
- Alkyl bromides and iodides: These are generally more dense than water.1
While these density trends parallel boiling points, it is important to note that alkyl halides are not soluble in water.1