Dichloroacetaldehyde is a chlorinated aldehyde with the chemical formula HCCl2CHO. Along with monochloroacetaldehyde and trichloroacetaldehyde, it is one of the three possible chlorinated acetaldehydes.

Dichloroacetaldehyde
Names
IUPAC name
2,2-dichloroethanal
Other names
dichloroethanal
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ECHA InfoCard 100.001.063 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 201-169-5
KEGG
UNII
UN number 1993
  • InChI=1S/C2H2Cl2O/c3-2(4)1-5/h1-2H
    Key: NWQWQKUXRJYXFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • C(=O)C(Cl)Cl
Properties
C2H2Cl2O
Molar mass 112.94 g·mol−1
Density 1.4 g/mL
Melting point −50 °C (−58 °F; 223 K)
Boiling point 88 °C (190 °F; 361 K)
forms hydrate
Related compounds
Related compounds
chloroacetaldehyde, trichloroacetaldehyde
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Properties and reactions edit

Dichloroacetaldehyde is a highly volatile liquid that is easily soluble in water to form Hydrates. A geminal diol, also known as monohydrate, 2,2-dichloro-1,1-ethanediol, is formed in water.[1]

 

The compound decomposes when heated. In the presence of Lewis acids such as antimony trichloride, iron(III) chloride, aluminum trichloride, tin(IV) chloride or boron trifluoride, the trimer hexachloroparaldehyde (2,4,6-tris(dichloromethyl)-1,3,5-trioxane) can be obtained.[1] The trimer forms colourless crystals that melt at 131–132 °C. At the boiling point of 210–220 °C, dichloroacetaldehyde decomposes.[1]

 

Reduction with lithium aluminium hydride gives dichloroethanol.[2]

Uses edit

Dichloroacetaldehyde is used to produce other chemical compounds such as mitotane.[citation needed] Condensation with chlorobenzene yields p,p′-dichloro-1,1-diphenyl-2,2-dichloroethane, which was previously used as an insecticide:[1]

 

Synthesis edit

Dichloroacetaldehyde can be obtained by chlorinating acetaldehyde or paraldehyde. Hypochlorination of 1,2-dichloroethylene using chlorine and water produces pure dichloroacetaldehyde.[1][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Jira, R.; Kopp, E.; McKusick, B.C.; Röderer, G.; Bosch, A.; Fleischmann, G.: Chloroacetaldehydes in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, doi:10.1002/14356007.a06_527.pub2.
  2. ^ Sroog, C. E.; Woodburn, H. M. (1952). "2,2-Dichloroethanol". Organic Syntheses. 32: 46. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.032.0046.
  3. ^ NLM Hazardous Substances Data Bank entry for Dichloroacetaldehyde