‹ Chemistry simulationsChemistry · AS Level 9701 · 15 Halogen compoundsFive simulations covering Topic 15: primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes in 3D, the two nucleophilic substitution mechanisms stepped through atom by atom, a silver nitrate race that shows rate follows bond enthalpy and not polarity, the reactions of one halogenoalkane with four different reagents, and the radical chain by which CFCs destroy ozone.
A halogenoalkane is an alkane with one or more hydrogens replaced by a halogen. It is classified by how many carbon atoms are attached to the carbon carrying the halogen. Rotate each molecule, change the halogen, and watch the bond that will have to break.
A nucleophile is a species with a lone pair that attacks an electron-deficient carbon. In a primary halogenoalkane it attacks from the far side in one step and the molecule turns inside out. In a tertiary one the halide leaves first and a flat carbocation is attacked from either face. Step through both.
Equal amounts of 1-chlorobutane, 1-bromobutane and 1-iodobutane are warmed with silver nitrate in ethanol. The halide ion released is caught by silver ions, so the moment a precipitate appears tells you how fast the C-X bond broke. Press Start and time them.
Start from 1-bromobutane every time and change only the reagent and the conditions. The same molecule gives an alcohol, a nitrile, an amine or an alkene, and the solvent alone decides between substitution and elimination. Pick a reagent and press React.
Chlorofluoroalkanes were chosen because they are unreactive, and that is exactly why they survive long enough to drift into the stratosphere. There the ultraviolet light that ozone absorbs is strong enough to break a C-Cl bond, and one chlorine radical goes on to destroy ozone molecule after ozone molecule. Step through the story.
Primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes in 3D with the bond enthalpy and polarity that decide how they react, the SN2 and SN1 mechanisms animated step by step including inversion of configuration and the flat carbocation, a silver nitrate race showing that the rate of hydrolysis follows bond enthalpy and not polarity, one halogenoalkane taken through four reagents to an alcohol, a nitrile, an amine and an alkene, and the radical chain by which CFCs destroy ozone.
Five simulations covering Topic 15: primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes in 3D, the two nucleophilic substitution mechanisms stepped through atom by atom, a silver nitrate race that shows rate follows bond enthalpy and not polarity, the reactions of one halogenoalkane with four different reagents, and the radical chain by which CFCs destroy ozone.
Halogen compounds is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 (topic 15 Halogen compounds). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (Multiple Choice (AS)), Paper 2 (AS Structured), Paper 3 (Advanced Practical), Paper 4 (A Level Structured), Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis, Evaluation). Syllabus for examination in 2025-2027. There are 5 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.
Full syllabus map: AS Level Chemistry 9701 topic 15.
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