Benzyl chloride

Benzyl chloride (BnCl) is a molecule that is a used to make pharmaceuticals and can also be used to make Phenyl-2-Propanone. Benzyl chloride is synthesized from toluene (benzyl hydride) by chlorination with TCCA (trichloroisocyanuric acid, pool chlorine) in sunlight with lithium bromide as a catalyst. The lithium bromide makes it so that you get benzyl chloride in hours instead of days. Phenyl-2-Propanone is synthesized by adding benzyl chloride in diethyl ether (or even better, dibutyl ether for higher yield) and adding magnesium turnings. You make benzyl magnesium chloride. Then you react it with acetonitrile and then do a hydrochloric acid work-up to get Phenyl-2-Propanone.

Properties
Chemical formula
C7H7Cl
Molar mass
126.58 g·mol−1
Appearance
Colorless to slightly yellow, toxic liquid
Odor
Pungent, aromatic
Density
1.100 g/cm3
Melting point
−39 °C (−38 °F; 234 K)
Boiling point
179 °C (354 °F; 452 K)
Solubility in water
very slightly soluble (0.05% at 20 °C)
Solubility
soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, chloroform, CCl4
miscible in organic solvents
Vapor pressure
1 mmHg (20 °C)

Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Poisonous and carcinogenic; lachrymator

I reacted toluene (benzyl hydride, paint thinner) with TCCA (trichloroisocyanuric acid, pool chlorine) in sunlight with lithium bromide catalyst and got benzyl chloride in a matter of hours.

by CognitiveFuel November 28, 2022