Dichloromethyl methyl ether explained

Dichloromethyl methyl ether (HCl₂COCH₃) is an organic compound that belongs to the class of ethers with a dichloromethyl group and a methyl group. It can be synthesized from methyl formate and a mixture of phosphorus pentachloride and phosphorus oxychloride^[1] or by chlorination of chlorodimethyl ether.

The compound is used in the formylation of aromatic compounds (Rieche formylation) and as a chlorination agent in the formation of acid chlorides.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 5, p.365 (1973); Vol. 47, p.51 (1967). link
2. Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 7, p.467 (1990); Vol. 61, p.1 (1983). Link