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acyl chloride

chemical compound

Quick Summary

An acyl chloride is a chemical compound with the structure RCOCl, where R is an organic group and Cl is a chlorine atom. These compounds are derivatives of carboxylic acids and are characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a halogen atom. Acyl chlorides are highly reactive, making them useful in synthesizing other organic compounds, including esters, amides, and ketones.123

They are typically prepared by treating a carboxylic acid with a chlorinating agent like thionyl chloride. Acyl chlorides react readily with water, alcohols, and amines. For example, acetyl chloride (CH3COCl) is a common acyl chloride used in preparing acetyl derivatives. Due to their reactivity, acyl chlorides must be stored in airtight containers.134

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