Butyryl chloride explained

Butyryl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl. It is a colorless liquid with a unpleasant odor. Butyryl chloride is soluble in organic solvents, but it reacts readily with water and alcohols. It is usually produced by chlorination of butyric acid.^[1]

Reactions

Like related acyl chlorides, butyryl chloride hydrolyzes readily:

CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl + H₂O → CH₃CH₂CH₂CO₂H + HClAlcohols react to give esters:

CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl + ROH → CH₃CH₂CH₂CO₂R + HClAmines react to give amides:

CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl + R₂NH → CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)NR₂ + HCl

Derivatives of butyryl chloride are used in manufacturing pesticides, pharmaceuticals, perfume fixative, polymerization catalyst, and dyestuffs. Butyryl chloride is also commonly used as an intermediate for organic synthesis for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, esters, and peroxide compounds.^[2]

Safety

Butyryl chloride is flammable and fumes in air, releasing hydrogen chloride.

Notes and References

1. n-Butyryl Chloride. B. . Helferich. W.. Schaefer. Org. Synth. . 1929. 9. 32. 10.15227/orgsyn.009.0032.
2. Web site: N-BUTYRYL CHLORIDE (BUTANOYL CHLORIDE) . 2023-02-20 . chemicalland21.com.