Benzal chloride
Encyclopedia
Benzal chloride is an organic compound
with the formula
C6H5CHCl2. This colourless liquid is a lachrymator and is used as a building block in organic synthesis
.
Benzal chloride is produced by the free radical chlorination
of toluene
, being preceded in the process by benzyl chloride
and followed by benzotrichloride
Most benzal chloride is hydrolysed
to benzaldehyde
:
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
with the formula
Chemical formula
A chemical formula or molecular formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound....
C6H5CHCl2. This colourless liquid is a lachrymator and is used as a building block in organic synthesis
Organic synthesis
Organic synthesis is a special branch of chemical synthesis and is concerned with the construction of organic compounds via organic reactions. Organic molecules can often contain a higher level of complexity compared to purely inorganic compounds, so the synthesis of organic compounds has...
.
Benzal chloride is produced by the free radical chlorination
Chlorination
Chlorination is the process of adding the element chlorine to water as a method of water purification to make it fit for human consumption as drinking water...
of toluene
Toluene
Toluene, formerly known as toluol, is a clear, water-insoluble liquid with the typical smell of paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, i.e., one in which a single hydrogen atom from the benzene molecule has been replaced by a univalent group, in this case CH3.It is an aromatic...
, being preceded in the process by benzyl chloride
Benzyl chloride
Benzyl chloride, or α-chlorotoluene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2Cl. This colourless liquid is a reactive organochlorine compound that is a widely used chemical building block.-Preparation:...
and followed by benzotrichloride
- C6H5CH3 + Cl2 → C6H5CH2Cl + HCl
- C6H5CH2Cl + Cl2 → C6H5CHCl2 + HCl
- C6H5CHCl2 + Cl2 → C6H5CCl3 + HCl
Most benzal chloride is hydrolysed
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which molecules of water are split into hydrogen cations and hydroxide anions in the process of a chemical mechanism. It is the type of reaction that is used to break down certain polymers, especially those made by condensation polymerization...
to benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful. This colorless liquid has a characteristic pleasant almond-like odor...
:
- C6H5CHCl2 + H2O → C6H5CHO + 2 HCl