Acetyl chloride is an organic compound with the following properties:
Physical properties: Acetyl chloride is a colorless to light yellow liquid with a pungent odor at room temperature. It has a lower boiling point (51 ° C) and a vapor pressure higher than room temperature, so it quickly evaporates.
Chemical properties: Acetyl chloride is a reagent that is prone to electrophilic substitution reactions. It can react with many compounds, such as alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, etc. Specific reactions include acylation, esterification, amination, etc. Acetyl chloride can also undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions, such as reacting with ammonia or water to produce acetamide and acetic acid.
Hydrolysis: Acetyl chloride undergoes intense hydrolysis in water, producing acetic acid and hydrochloric acid. This is because the carbonyl carbon atoms in acetyl chloride are prone to nucleophilic attack in water, forming hydroxyl groups.
Corrosiveness: Acetyl chloride is a strongly irritating chemical with strong corrosiveness. It can cause burns and irritation when in contact with the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, so safety precautions should be taken when using it.
Acetyl chloride is widely used in organic synthesis and is commonly used in the preparation of drugs, dyes, and other organic compounds. Due to its high reactivity and easy availability, acetyl chloride is a commonly used reagent and has been widely used in organic chemistry laboratories.