{| class="toccolours" border="1" style="float: right; clear: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; border-collapse: collapse;" | align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" | 100px100px |- | two representationsof the organochloridechloroform. |- |} an organochloride, organochlorine, chlorocarbon, chlorinated hydrocarbon, chloroalkane, or chlorinated solvent is an organic compound containing at least one covalently bonded atom of chlorine. their wide structural variety and divergent chemical properties lead to a broad range of names and applications. many derivatives are controversial because of the effects of these compounds on the environment and on human and animal health. ==physical properties== chloride substituents modify the physical properties of organic compounds in several ways. they are typically denser than water due to the presence of high atomic weight of chlorine. ==natural occurrence== although rare compared to non-halogenated organic compounds, many organochlorine compounds have been isolated from natural sources ranging from bacteria to humans. chlorinated organic compounds are found in nearly every class of biomolecules including alkaloids, terpenes, amino acids, flavonoids, steroids, and fatty acids. organochlorides, including dioxins, are produced in the high temperature environment of forest fires, and dioxins have been found in the preserved ashes of lightning-ignited fires that predate synthetic dioxins. in addition, a variety of simple chlorinated hydrocarbons including dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride have been isolated from marine algae.{{cite journal | doi = 10.1021/np50088a001 | author = gribble, g. w. | title = naturally occurring organohalogen compounds - a comprehensive survey | journal = progress in the chemistry
Organochlorides