Oxalyl chloride
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| Oxalyl chloride | |
|---|---|
| Image:Oxalyl-chloride-2D.png | |
| IUPAC name | Oxalyl dichloride |
| Other names | Ethanedioyl dichloride Oxalic acid chloride Oxalic acid dichloride Oxalyl dichloride Oxalic dichloride Oxaloyl chloride |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| RTECS number | KI2950000 |
| SMILES | ClC(=O)C(=O)Cl |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C2O2Cl2 |
| Molar mass | 126.93 g/mol |
| Appearance | colorless liquid |
| Density | 1.4785 g/mL, liquid |
| Melting point |
−16 °C |
| Boiling point |
63–64 °C (1.017 bar) |
| Solubility in water | Decomposes |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.429 |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| EU classification | not listed |
| NFPA 704 |
|
| Related Compounds | |
| Related acyl chlorides | Malonyl chloride Succinyl chloride phosgene |
| Related compounds | Oxalic acid Diethyl oxalate Oxamide Oxalyl hydrazideCuprizon 1 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references | |
Oxalyl chloride is a chemical compound with the formula (COCl)2. This colourless liquid, the diacid chloride of oxalic acid, is a useful reagent in organic synthesis.[1] It can be prepared by treating oxalic acid with phosphorus pentachloride.[1]
Applications in organic synthesis
Synthesis of acid chlorides
It is mainly used in organic synthesis for the preparation of acid chlorides from the corresponding carboxylic acids. Like thionyl chloride, the reagent produces volatile side products in this application:
Oxalyl chloride tends to be a milder, more selective reagent.
Formylation of arenes
Oxalyl chloride reacts with aromatic compounds in the presence of aluminum chloride to give the corresponding acid chloride in a process known as a Friedel-Crafts acylation.[1][1] The resulting acid chloride can be hydrolysed in water to form the corresponding carboxylic acid.
Preparation of diesters
Like other acid chlorides, oxalyl chloride reacts with alcohols to give esters:
- 2 RCH2OH + (COCl)2 → RCH2OC(O)C(O)OCH2R + 2 HCl
Typically such reactions are conducted in the presence of a base such as pyridine. The diester derived from phenol, phenyl oxalate ester, is Cyalume, the active ingredient in glow sticks.
Oxidation of alcohols
The combination of DMSO and oxalyl chloride converts alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones via the process known as the Swern oxidation.
Precautions
As with all acyl chlorides, oxalyl chloride reacts with water liberating HCl gas. Overall, its effects are comparable to those of phosgene.
In March 2000 a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330 was damaged beyond repair after a falsely declared cargo of oxalyl chloride leaked into the cargo bay. [1]
References
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
