Organic substances with at least one carbon-halogen bond are known as organohalogen compounds. These compounds typically contain halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. These substances are important in many industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical applications, but because of their toxicity and endurance, they also pose risks to human health and the environment. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are among the most well-known types of organohalogens.Previously employed as solvents, propellants, and refrigerants, CFCs became notorious for their part in ozone depletion. Ozone molecules in the stratosphere broke down as a result of CFC emissions into the atmosphere, which helped to create the notorious ozone hole. Many CFCs have been successfully phased out as part of international efforts, like the Montreal Protocol, to lessen their effects on the ozone layer. In the electronics and flame-retardant industries, polyhalogenated chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used extensively. But these so-called persistent organic pollutants (POPs) build up in organisms and the environment, endangering both human health and ecosystems. For example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCBs) have been linked to cancer and may also negatively impact the neurological, reproductive, and immune systems. Certain organohalogens are used in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, despite the issues surrounding them. In medicinal chemistry, halogenation is a frequently employed technique to improve a drug's bioavailability and metabolic stability. For instance, fluorine atoms added to fluoroquinolone antibiotics enhance their pharmacokinetics and potency. Organohalogen chemicals are crucial building blocks in synthetic chemistry that are used to create complex molecules. Materials, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals can be synthesized more easily by halogenation processes like the Heck reaction and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. Organohalogen chemicals' effects on the environment have prompted closer examination and the creation of more environmentally friendly substitutes. Reducing the negative consequences of organohalogens involves investigating non-halogenated alternatives, using alternative flame retardants, and using sustainable synthesis techniques. The benefits and hazards of these substances must be balanced, which requires ongoing study and prudent management.
