CHEMISTRY GUIDE

This page looks at ways of swapping the -OH group in the -COOH group of a carboxylic acid for a chlorine atom. This produces useful compounds called acyl chlorides (acid chlorides). It covers the use of phosphorus(V) chloride and phosphorus(III) chloride as well as sulphur dichloride oxide (thionyl chloride). Replacing -OH by -Cl Introduction We are going to be looking at converting a carboxylic acid, RCOOH, into an acyl chloride, RCOCl. Acyl chlorides are also known as acid chlorides. By far the most commonly used example of the conversion of a carboxylic acid into an acyl chloride is ethanoic acid to ethanoyl chloride. Acyl chlorides are very reactive, and can be used to make a wide range of other things. That's why they are important. Note:   If you are want to find out more about acyl chlorides, you can ex...