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