Question

Detect the presence of chlorine atom in a given organic compound p

Answer 1

Detection Of  Chlorine In organic compound :

Step1 :

Chlorine is made to react with sodium metal to form Sodium chloride .

Na + Cl ----> NaCl

Step2:
Sodium chloride on reaction with Silver nitrate gives white precipitate of Silver Chloride and sodium nitrate.

NaCl + AgNO3  ----> AgCl↓ +NaNO3

Step 3:
The precipitate formed is soluble in Ammonium hydroxide .

AgCl + 2NH₄OH ---> Ag(NH3)₂Cl +2H₂O                                 
                                      (Soluble )

Answer 2

I am assuming that the question requires an experimental method to detect the presence of Chlorine in an organic compound.

The Lassaigne’s test is the most commonly used method for detection of any halogen in an organic compound.

The first step of this method is the acidification step, where nitric acid is added to the extract of sodium fusion. The chlorine atom present in the organic compound reacts with the sodium from the fusion extract and form NaCl.

Na + Cl → NaCl

The product of NaCl is then treated with silver nitrate (AgNO₃), which forms silver chloride. 

NaCl + AgNO₃ → AgCl + NaNO₃ 



Upon addition of NH4OH, the result is -

AgCl + 2NH₄OH → [Ag (NH₃)₂] Cl + 2H₂O

The nitrogen atoms or the sulphur atoms that are present in the organic compounds can be expelled out by boiling the extract. This is important as they may interfere with the halogen detecting tests.