Acetyl Chloride

Acetyl Chloride is an energetic acetylating agent, particularly in combination with aluminium chloride, for compounds that are difficult to acetylate. Acetyl chloride is a clear, corrosive and fuming liquid; melting point of -112 C, boiling point of 51-52 C, Refractive Index of 1.3890. It undergoes violently hydrolysis in presence of atmospheric moisture. It is soluble in ether, acetone, and acetic acid. It is prepared by reacting acetic acid with a halogenating agent such as phosphorus chloride or sulphur dichloride oxide.

Acetyl chloride is widely used as an acetylating agent in the synthesis of fine chemicals, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. It is also used as an intermediate for dyes. It is also used to determine water in organic liquids and in testing cholesterol. Acetylation ,a case of acylation, is an organic synthesis process whereby the acetyl group is incorporated into a molecule by substitution for protecting -OH groups. It is used occasionally as a special chlorinating agent for inorganic compounds as triaryl carbinols. It is also used as a catalyst in esterification, in halogenation of aliphatic acids and in nitration of thiophenes. Acetyl Chloride is employed in the synthesis of organic intermediates, drugs, dyes and crop protection agents. In the perfume industry it is used in the manufacture of esters and other acetyl derivatives. In analytical chemistry Acetyl Chloride is employed as a reagent for the determination of hydroxyl groups of organic compounds and for other analytical purposes

CAS No.: 75-36-5
Molecular Formula: CH3COCl
Molecular Weight: 78.50
Synonyms: Ethanoyl chloride; Acetic acid chloride
Appearance: colorless transparent smoky liquid, with pungent odor.
Assay: 98%