Question

What is the formula of chloral?
(A) $CHC{{l}_{3}}$
(B) $CC{{l}_{3}}COC{{H}_{3}}$
(C) $CC{{l}_{3}}CHO$
(D) $COC{{l}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint:Chloral has a functional group which is assigned a suffix –al in IUPAC nomenclature. As the name suggests, there is the presence of chlorine atoms in the structure of Chloral. It has a $\pi $ bond in its structure.

Complete step by step solution:
Let’s get some information about chloral.
-Chloral is an organic compound. This is an aldehyde, which is colourless and it is an oily liquid. Chloral is soluble in many solvents. When chloral is mixed with water, it in reaction with water forms chloral hydrate. It is used as a sedative and hypnotic substance.
-Chemical formula of Chloral is ${{C}_{2}}HOC{{l}_{3}}$. And for that, we should note that it is an aldehyde. And the only aldehyde formula that is present in options is option C. now, for confirmation we will draw the structure of option C.

-Here we can see that there are two geminal hydroxyl groups present at one carbon in chloral hydrate. So, it will lose a molecule of water and will give an aldehyde which is called chloral.
-The above structure is of chloral. We should remember the structure and formula as well. From this structure we can say that the chemical formula of chloral is $CC{{l}_{3}}CHO$.
-The IUPAC name of chloral is 2,2,2-trichloroethane-1,1-diol.
-Hence, we can say that only one compound in the options given id contains an aldehyde group.

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

Note: Remember that $CHC{{l}_{3}}$ is known as chloroform and $COC{{l}_{2}}$ is called Phosgene. Do not get confused between Chloral hydrate and Chloral in which the later is a dehydrated version of the chloral hydrate.