Halogenation

Halogenation is a chemical process where a halogen atom—such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine—is added to an organic compound, usually an alkene or aromatic ring. This reaction typically occurs in the presence of a catalyst or under specific conditions, resulting in the formation of a halogenated product. Halogenation is important in synthesizing materials like plastics, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, as it can alter the properties of molecules, making them more reactive, stable, or suitable for further modifications. The process is widely used in both industrial applications and laboratory chemistry to modify or build complex organic molecules.