Organic halides are chemical compounds containing carbon (C) bound to one or more halogen atoms such as chlorine (Cl), fluorine (F), bromine (Br) or iodine (I). When carbon is attached to a ring structure, such compounds are sometimes known as “aryl organic halides”.

Chemical solvents are widely used across industry and other applications, including cleaning, paint removal and running chemical reactions. They’re generally odorless and colorless while volatile – perfect for running chemical reactions! Additionally, these substances may react with amines, alcohols and ethers to form more complex molecules that act as herbicides or insecticides but these uses have become less frequent due to their adverse impact on both environment and human health.

Alkyl halides can be divided into elementary, secondary, and tertiary groups. While higher members such as methyl chloride and ethyl chloride exist as liquids, lower members such as methyl bromide and ethyl bromide exist as gases which can be used as refrigerants or degreasers in industry.

Chemical halides have long been used as raw material in the production of pharmaceuticals and synthetic organic molecules, and as solvents used for dry cleaning, oil removal and chemical reactions. Methylene chloride in particular can be found widely used for such tasks and removal of grease from metal parts as well as being produced into paint and varnish removers; it should only be used under proper ventilation conditions to avoid poisonous fumes escaping during its use.

Organoiodides, with carbon atoms bonded directly to iodine atoms, are among the most reactive of halides, being more reactive than organobromides whose carbon bonds are bound with nitrogen atoms. Organic iodides can be found in many dyes and pigments used in maraschino cherries known as FD&C Red No 3. Additionally, their use includes creating ureas and amides used as industrial solvents and plasticizers for brittle plastics.

Short-chain haloalkanes composed of carbon and halogen atoms are often employed as hydrophobic solvents in chemical laboratories, while chlorofluorocarbons have become popular refrigerants and propellants; compounds containing both bromine and fluorine may even be found in fire extinguishers. Furthermore, short-chain haloalkanes serve as starting points for various synthetic organic chemistry reactions such as alkylations, radical cascades, or alkyl cross coupling reactions.

Halogenated organics in soil and sediments is an indicator of manmade contaminants, including toxic ones like chlorinated organic compounds that are harmful to both people and wildlife, and can harm the environment, such as polluting water supplies. Their presence has prompted some governments to introduce regulations restricting pesticide usage; other reasons include carcinogenicity. Depending on their concentration or extent, these halides could even qualify as hazardous waste or air pollutants, while groundwater contamination by halides should also be of concern.