Methallyl chloride explained

Methallyl chloride is the organic compound with the formula CH₂=C(CH₃)CH₂Cl. It is a colorless liquid and a lacrymator. Its properties are similar to those of allyl chloride. It is a strong alkylating agent used to install isobutenyl groups.^[1]

Reactivity

It is also a precursor to methallyl ligand. It is an isomer of crotyl chloride.

Methylenecyclopropane can be synthesised via an intramolecular cyclisation reaction from methallyl chloride by treatment with a strong base such as sodium amide.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: Methallyl chloride . e-EROS Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis . Krook . Mark A. . 2007 . 1–6 . 10.1002/9780470842898.rm061.pub2 . 978-0471936237 . O'Doherty . George A. . Gao . Dong.
2. Salaun . J. R. . Champion . J. . Conia . J. M. . 1977 . Cyclobutanone from Methylenecyclopropane via Oxaspiropentane . Organic Syntheses . 57 . 36 . 10.15227/orgsyn.057.0036.