Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which class of organic compounds is characterized by the general formula , where is an alkyl group and is a halogen?
A
Alkyl halides (haloalkanes)
B
Aldehydes
C
Alcohols
D
Carboxylic acids
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the general formula given: \(R - X\), where \(R\) is an alkyl group and \(X\) is a halogen atom (such as F, Cl, Br, or I).
Recall that an alkyl group (\(R\)) is a hydrocarbon chain or fragment derived from an alkane by removing one hydrogen atom.
Understand that halogens are elements from Group 17 of the periodic table, commonly involved in organic compounds as substituents.
Recognize that organic compounds with the structure \(R - X\) are called alkyl halides (also known as haloalkanes), where the halogen replaces a hydrogen atom on the alkyl group.
Compare this to other classes: aldehydes contain a carbonyl group (\(-CHO\)), alcohols contain a hydroxyl group (\(-OH\)), and carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl group (\(-COOH\)), none of which match the \(R - X\) formula.