Many halogen containingorganic compounds occur in nature and some ofthese are clinically useful. These classes of compoundsfind wide applications in industry as well as in day-to-day life. They are used as solvents for relativelynon-polar compounds and as starting materials forthe synthesis of wide range of organic compounds.Chlorine containing antibiotic, chloramphenicol,produced by microorganisms is very effective for thetreatment of typhoid fever. Our body produces iodinecontaining hormone, thyroxine, the deficiency of whichcauses a disease called goiter. Synthetic halogencompounds, viz. chloroquine is used for the treatmentof malaria; halothane is used as an anaestheticduring surgery. Certain fully fluorinated compoundsare being considered as potential blood substitutesin surgery.

Many halogen-containing organic compounds occur in nature and some of these are clinically useful. These classes of compounds find wide applications in industry as well as in day-to-day life. They are used as solvents for relatively non-polar compounds and as starting materials for the synthesis of a wide range of organic compounds.

One example of a clinically useful halogen-containing compound is chloramphenicol, which is a chlorine-containing antibiotic produced by microorganisms. It is very effective for the treatment of typhoid fever.

Another example is thyroxine, which is an iodine-containing hormone produced by our body. The deficiency of thyroxine can cause a disease called goiter.

Synthetic halogen compounds, such as chloroquine, are used for the treatment of malaria. Halothane, on the other hand, is used as an anesthetic during surgery.

Certain fully fluorinated compounds are being considered as potential blood substitutes in surgery.