Haloalkanes and Haloarenes — Chemistry STD 12 Science — Question

To be miscible with water, the solute-water force of attraction must be stronger than the solute-solute and water-water forces of attraction. Alkyl halides are polar molecules and so held together by dipole-dipole interactions but can not form H-bonds with water neither it can break H- bonds between water molecules. Similarly, strong H- bonds exist between the water molecules. The new force of attraction between the alkyl halides and water molecules is weaker than the alkyl halide-alkyl halide and water-water forces of attraction. Hence, alkyl halides (though polar) are immiscible with water.