Question

What happens when chloroform is subjected to dehalogenation?

Answer 1

When chloroform (CHCl₃) is heated with silver powder, it undergoes a dehalogenation reaction in which the chlorine atoms attached to the carbon are removed by silver, forming silver chloride (AgCl). This process leads to the formation of acetylene (ethyne, C₂H₂). The reaction involves the coupling of two carbon atoms after losing the halogens, resulting in a triple bond characteristic of acetylene.

\[\mathrm{2CHCl}_3 + 6 \mathrm{Ag} \xrightarrow{\text{heat}} \mathrm{HC} \equiv \mathrm{CH} + 6 \mathrm{AgCl}\]

Thus, the heating of chloroform with silver powder effectively removes the halogens and converts the compound into acetylene, which is useful in organic synthesis and industrial applications.