Organochlorides, also known as organochlorine compounds, chlorocarbons, or chlorinated hydrocarbons, are organic compounds that contain at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom. Due to their diverse structures and chemical properties, organochlorides have a wide range of names, applications, and properties.

Organochlorine compounds have found numerous applications, but some have raised serious environmental concerns. Among these, TCDD is particularly notorious.

Aliphatic organochlorides, such as vinyl chloride, find extensive use in polymer production, while compounds like chloromethane are widely employed as solvents in dry cleaning and the textile industry. Aromatic organochlorines, on the other hand, such as DDT, endosulfan, chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and mirex, are primarily utilized as pesticides.

Alkanes and aryl alkanes can undergo chlorination via free radical reactions initiated by UV light. Nevertheless, the degree of chlorination can be challenging to regulate. On the other hand, aryl chlorides can be synthesized by the Friedel-Crafts halogenation method, which employs chlorine and a Lewis acid catalyst.

Although alkyl bromides and iodides are more reactive, alkyl chlorides are more affordable and easily accessible. Nucleophiles readily attack alkyl chlorides, leading to diverse chemical transformations.