One or more halogen atoms attached to a hydrocarbon, alkane backbone
Limited natural occurence
Halogen modifies properties of hydrocarbon change
Named as original alkane with halogen alkane prefix
\(CH_3CH_2CH_2Cl\), 1-chloropropane
\(CH_3CHClCH_2Cl\), 1,2-dichloropropane
\(CH_3CHBrCH_2CH_2Cl\), 3-bromo-1-chlorobutane
Prefixes listed in alphabetical order
Properties and reactions determined by polar \(C\)-\(H\) bonds
Boiling points
Intermolecular bonds
Reactions
In a non-polar bond, the electrons are distributed equally