Question

Which compound needs chloral in its synthesis
(A) D.D.T
(B) Gammexane
(C) Chloroform
(D) Michler’s Ketone

Answer 1

We are pleased to know that green chemistry is focused on processes and products that minimize the generation and use of hazardous waste. Organochlorines are persistent insecticides which show biological magnification like D.D.T, Aldrin etc and all these compounds are insoluble in water and non-biodegradable in nature.

Complete Step by step answer: As we all know that Organochlorine pesticides are highly toxic and majorly used in pesticides that sometimes results in sterility of soil and as well as harmful for each trophic level. These are mainly insoluble in water, non-biodegradable in nature and are usually accumulators. Carbamates and organophosphates are less persistent and more biodegradable. Even we know that insects become resistant to particular pesticides after a successive use.
Chloral is basically an organic compound known as trichloroacetaldehyde or trichloroethanol and it is soluble in various solvents due to the presence of aldehydic groups. The aldehyde reacts with water to synthesize a chloral hydrate which is then dehydrated using sulphuric acid and forms chloral.
We can discuss the given compounds one by one, so first let us discuss Michler’s Ketone which is an organic compound, a derivative of benzophenone and usually plays a role in the production of several pigments and dyes like Methyl violet. It is also used as photosensitizer and synthesized using Friedel-crafts acylation of dimethylaniline in the presence of phosgene or triphosgene as a reagent. Thus we can see that it does not need chloral for its synthesis.
Next is chloroform, which is basically a by-product and formed when water is disinfected using chlorine. It is usually colorless and has a pleasant smell and is generally sweet in taste.
Next comes the gammexane which is also known as Lindane or gammaxane, it is an organochlorine chemical and majorly used in insecticides. It is synthesized using chlorine and benzene when the sunlight is present and any catalyst and oxygen is absent.
Lastly the D.D.T short form of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane which is again an organochlorine and is colorless, tasteless and without any smell. DDT is formed when chlorobenzene is heated in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid and a water molecule is released in the reaction.

Therefore from the above explanation we can say that the correct answer is option (A).

Note: DT is very toxic to a range of organisms including marine animals as well because DDT can bioaccumulate due to its lipophilic property. It is considered as an endocrine disruptor and carcinogenic in humans and it also acts as a weak antagonist to androgen receptors.