What is "tetrahalomethane"

n. (context chemistry English) Any of a group of fully halogenated methane derivatives of general formula CBr_kCl_lF_mI_n.

Tetrahalomethanes are fully halogenated methane derivatives of general formula CBrClFI.

Tetrahalomethanes are on the border of inorganic and organic chemistry, thus they can be assigned both inorganic and organic names by IUPAC: tetrafluoromethane - carbon tetrafluoride, tetraiodomethane - carbon tetraiodide, dichlorodifluoromethane - carbon dichloride difluoride.

Each halogen ( F, Cl, Br, I) forms corresponding halomethane, but their stability decreases in order CF > CH > CCl > CBr > CI from exceptionally stable gaseous tetrafluoromethane with bond energy 515 kJ.mol to solid tetraiodomethane. It depends on bond energy.

Many mixed halomethanes are also known, such as CBrClF.