What are halides used for?

1 Answer
Jun 22, 2017

Well metal halides are a very common precursor and starting material in inorganic chemistry..........

Explanation:

A metal halide, #MCl_n#, is a typically used precursor in inorganic chemistry. They offer some solubility in non-protic solvents, and also substitution at the metal centre results (usually) in the deposit of an ionic halide, which gives a thermodynamic driving force to the reaction. The halide is also (usually) redox inert; metal nitrates like metal halides, can also offer some non-aqueous solubility; but the nitrate anion, #NO_3^-#, CAN be a potent oxidant, tho' often this reactivity is masked in aqueous solution.

And I forgot the most common usage of halide.......as sodium chloride to season our fish and chips.......Yumm!