Hunsdicker reaction.

Explanation

This reaction is used for the preparation of alkyl halides (mainly alkyl bromides). Silver salts of acids on treatment with `Br_(2)` in `C Cl_(4)` give alkyl bromides.
`underset("Silver acetate")(CH_(3)COOAg)+Br_(2)overset(C Cl_(4))(to)CH_(3)Br+CO_(2)uarr+AgBr` Iodoalkanes cannot be prepared by this method because alkyl iodide formed reacts with silver salts of an acid to form an ester. The yield of other halides is :
Primary `gt` secondary `gt` tertiary
With chlorine, the yield of alkyl chloride is very poor due to the reactivity of chlorine. Dichloro and trichloroalkanes may be formed in addition to alkyl chloride.