85. Acetyl Chloride

Nomenclature

CAS number: 75-36-5
Ethanoic acid chloride.
C2H3ClO; mol wt 78.50.
C 30.60%, H 3.85%, Cl 45.16%, O 20.38%.
CH3COCl.

Description and references

Prepd from acetic acid and chlorine in the presence of phosphorus; from acetic acid and salts of chlorosulfonic acid; from sodium acetate and sulfuryl chloride. Details of prepn: Gattermann-Wieland, Praxis des Organischen Chemikers (de Gruyter, Berlin, 40th ed., 1961) p 111; A. I. Vogel, Practical Organic Chemistry (Longmans, London, 3rd ed., 1959) p 367. Lab prepn from acetic anhydride and calcium chloride: Gmünder, Helv. Chim. Acta 36, 2021 (1953).

Properties

Liquid; pungent odor. Flammable; corrosive. Imparts a green tinge to a colorless flame. d 1.104. mp 112°. bp 52°. nD20 1.3898. Decomposed violently by water or alc. Miscible with benzene, chloroform, ether, glacial acetic acid, petr ether. Protect from water.

Caution

May cause severe burns. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes.

Use

Acetylating agent; in testing for cholesterol, determn of H2O in organic liquids.