Phenylacetyl chloride

Chemical properties

colourless liquid

The Uses of Phenylacetyl chloride

Phenylacetyl chloride is used in the preparation of 1,2-diphenyl-ethanone by reaction with iodobenzene using tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as a phase transfer catalyst. It is widely used in the chemical industry for manufacturing dyes and pharmaceutical products. It plays an important role in the preparation of penicillin. Further, it is used to prepare esters for flavorings.

The Uses of Phenylacetyl chloride

Phenylacetyl chloride is used as a key precursor in the total synthesis of vialinin B. It is employed as a linker to prepare dendrimers and also used in the synthesis of various conjugated aromatic small molecules.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 96, p. 6469, 1974 DOI: 10.1021/ja00827a034
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 2, p. 156, 1943

General Description

A colorless volatile liquid with a strong odor. Denser than water. Contact may severely irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion. May also be combustible.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in water. Fumes in air. Decomposes in water or steam to form very corrosive hydrogen chloride gas.

Reactivity Profile

Phenylacetyl chloride is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, bases (including amines). May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion hazards. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.