3.6.3

Acyl Chlorides

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Formation of Acyl Chlorides

Acyl chlorides can be produced by reacting carboxylic acids with an inorganic compound called thionyl chloride (sulphur dichloride oxide).

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Acyl chlorides

  • Acyl chlorides can be derived from carboxylic acids.
    • Acyl chlorides are also known as acid chlorides.
  • Acyl chlorides have the general formula RCOCl.
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Carboxylic acid to acyl chloride

  • Acyl chlorides are produced from a reaction between sulphur dichloride oxide (SOCl2) and a carboxylic acid.
    • Hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide gases are produced in the reaction.
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Obtaining purity

  • Fractional distillation can be used to remove excess reagents from the acyl chloride.
    • Hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are given off as gases.
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Reactions of acyl chlorides

  • Hydrolysis:
    • R-COCl + H2O → R-COOH + HCl
  • Reaction with alcohols to produce esters:
    • R-COCl + C2H5OH → R-COOC2H5 + H2O
  • Reaction with phenol:
    • R-COCl + C6H5OH → R-COOC6H5
  • Reaction with ammonia:
    • R-COCl + NH3 → R-CONH2 + HCl
  • Reaction with primary amines (R'NH2:
    • R-COCl + R'N-H2 → R-CONH-R' + HCl

Acylation

Acylation reactions can be used to produce a variety of organic compounds, like amides.

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Compounds

  • The above compounds are examples of acylated materials.
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Nucleophilic addition-elimination

  • The nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction happens with acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides.
  • It is used to produce amides, carboxylic acids, and esters.
  • The mechanism is on the next slide.
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Mechanism

  • This reaction can also be done with water or ammonia as nucleophile.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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