alkyl halides

Alkyl halides are organic compounds where a carbon atom is bonded to a halogen atom, such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, or fluorine. They are derived from alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with halogens. Alkyl halides play important roles in chemistry, serving as intermediates in synthesis and in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other materials. Their reactivity depends on the nature of the halogen and the structure of the carbon chain, influencing how they participate in chemical reactions like substitution and elimination processes.