Benzoyl chloride is an organochlorine compound with the formula C6H5COCl. It is a colourless, fuming liquid with an irritating odour.

Applications

Benzoyl chloride is a useful acylating agent, preparation of ketones from organometallic compounds;

It is mainly useful for the production of peroxides but is generally useful in other areas such as in the preparation of dyes, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, and resins.

Reactions

Benzoyl chloride reacts with water to produce hydrochloric acid and benzoic acid:

C₆H₅COCl + H₂O → C₆H₅CO₂H + HCl

Benzoyl chloride is a typical acyl chloride. It reacts with alcohols to give the corresponding esters. Similarly, it reacts with amines to give the amide.

It undergoes the Friedel-Crafts acylation with aromatic compounds to give the corresponding benzophenones and related derivatives.With carbanions, it serves again as a source of "PhCO+".

Purification

The good commercial grade of benzoyl chloride can be purified by distillation.

Storage

use in a fume hood; lachrymatory, irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes; toxic by inhalation and ingestion.