[[Image:Tetrafluoroethane liquid.jpg|thumb|250px|[[டெற்றாபுளோரோஎதீன்]] (ஒரு ஹலோஅல்கேன்) ஒரு நிறமற்ற திரவமாகும். இது அறை வெப்பநிலையில் நிறமற்ற திரவமாகும்]]
The '''haloalkanes'''ஹலோஅல்கேன் (alsoஅல்கைல் knownஏலைட்டு asஅல்லது '''halogenoalkanes''' or '''alkyl halides'''ஹலஜனோஅல்கேன்) are a group of [[chemical compound]]s derivedஎன்பது fromஒரு [[alkane]]sஅல்லது containingபல oneஅலசன்களைக் orகொண்ட moreஅல்கேன்கள் [[halogen]]sஆகும். They are a subset of the general class of [[halocarbon]]s, although the distinction is not often made. Haloalkanes are widely used commercially and, consequently, are known under many chemical and commercial names. They are used as [[flame retardants]], [[fire extinguisher|fire extinguishants]], [[refrigerant]]s, [[propellant]]s, [[solvent]]s, and [[pharmaceutical]]s. Subsequent to the widespread use in commerce, many halocarbons have also been shown to be serious [[pollutant]]s and toxins. For example, the [[chlorofluorocarbon]]s have been shown to lead to [[ozone depletion]]. [[Methyl bromide]] is a controversial fumigant. Only haloalkanes which contain chlorine, bromine, and iodine are a threat to the ozone layer, but fluorinated volatile haloalkanes in theory may have activity as [[greenhouse gas]]es. [[Methyl iodide]], a naturally occurring substance, however, does not have ozone-depleting properties and the United States Environmental Protection Agency has designated the compound a non-ozone layer depleter. For more information, see [[Halomethane]].
Haloalkanes have been known for centuries. Ethyl chloride was produced synthetically in the 15th century. The systematic synthesis of such compounds developed in the 19th century in step with the development of organic chemistry and the understanding of the structure of alkanes. Methods were developed for the selective formation of C-halogen bonds. Especially versatile methods included the addition of halogens to alkenes, [[hydrohalogenation]] of alkenes, and the conversion of [[alcohol]]s to alkyl halides. These methods are so reliable and so easily implemented that haloalkanes became cheaply available for use in industrial chemistry because the halide could be further replaced by other functional groups.
