Haloform Reaction: The Methyl Ketone Cleavage Mechanism
Learn the haloform reaction: repeated α‑halogenation of methyl ketones under base, then cleavage to carboxylate + haloform (CHX3). Includes recognition tricks and practice problems.
Key substrate: Methyl ketone (R–CO–CH3) or alcohol that oxidizes to it (for iodoform test context)
Reagents: X2 (I2/Br2/Cl2) + base (OH−)
Outcome: RCOO− + CHX3
Key idea: Repeated α‑halogenation makes CHX3 a good leaving group