tert-Butyl chloride
tert-Butyl chloride is the organochloride with the formula (CH3)3CCl. It is a colorless, flammable liquid. It is sparingly soluble in water, with a tendency to undergo hydrolysis to the corresponding tert-butyl alcohol. It is produced industrially as a precursor to other organic compounds.[1]
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Names | |||
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IUPAC name
2-chloro-2-methyl propane | |||
Other names
1,1-dimethylethyl chloride 1-chloro-1,1-dimethylethane chlorotrimethylmethane trimethylchloromethane t-butyl chloride | |||
Identifiers | |||
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEMBL | |||
ChemSpider | |||
ECHA InfoCard | 100.007.334 | ||
EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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RTECS number |
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UNII | |||
UN number | 1127 | ||
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |||
C4H9Cl | |||
Molar mass | 92.57 g/mol | ||
Appearance | Colorless liquid | ||
Density | 0.851 g/ml | ||
Melting point | −26 °C (−15 °F; 247 K) | ||
Boiling point | 51 °C (124 °F; 324 K) | ||
Sparingly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol and ether | |||
Vapor pressure | 34.9 kPa (20 °C) | ||
Hazards | |||
GHS pictograms | |||
GHS Signal word | Danger | ||
GHS hazard statements |
H225 | ||
P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P280, P303+361+353, P370+378, P403+235, P501 | |||
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |||
Flash point | −9 °C (16 °F; 264 K) (open cup) −23 °C (closed cup) | ||
540 °C (1,004 °F; 813 K) | |||
Related compounds | |||
Related alkyl halides |
tert-Butyl bromide | ||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |||
Infobox references | |||
Synthesis
tert-Butyl chloride is produced by the reaction of tert-butyl alcohol with hydrogen chloride.[1] In the laboratory, concentrated hydrochloric acid is used. The conversion entails a SN1 reaction as shown below.[2]
The overall reaction, therefore, is:
Because tert-butanol is a tertiary alcohol, the relative stability of the tert-butyl carbocation in the step 2 allows the SN1 mechanism to be followed, whereas a primary alcohol would follow an SN2 mechanism.
Reactions
When tert-butyl chloride is dissolved in water, it undergoes a hydrolysis to tert-butyl alcohol. When dissolved in alcohols, the corresponding t-butyl ethers are produced.
Uses
tert-Butyl chloride is used to prepare the antioxidant tert-butylphenol and the fragrance neohexyl chloride.[1]
References
- M. Rossberg et al. "Chlorinated Hydrocarbons" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2006, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a06_233.pub2
- James F. Norris and Alanson W. Olmsted "tert-Butyl Chloride" Org. Synth. 1928, volume 8, pp. 50. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.008.0050