Chloroacetyl Chloride
CAS 79-04-9 · ClCH₂COCl · MW 112.94
A versatile acylating agent for constructing chloroacetamide pharmacophores, agrochemical intermediates and reactive dye anchors. Chelora supplies industrial and pharma grades with full hazardous-goods documentation and batch-specific COA.
UN 1752 · Class 6.1 (Subsidiary 8)
Toxic & Corrosive · Packing Group II
- Industrial & pharma grades
- Full DG documentation
- ISO tank available
≥ 98.5 %
minimum purity (industrial grade)
CAS number
79-04-9
Boiling point
105 – 106 °C
Density
1.42 g/cm³
UN / DG class
1752 · 6.1
Product overview
The acylating workhorse of fine-chemical synthesis
Chloroacetyl chloride (2-chloroacetyl chloride, CAC) is a bifunctional acyl halide carrying both an acid chloride and a primary alkyl chloride in a compact two-carbon skeleton. This dual reactivity makes it one of the most widely used C2 building blocks in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and dye-intermediate chemistry.
The acid chloride function readily acylates amines, alcohols and phenols under mild conditions, while the alpha-chloro handle provides a site for subsequent nucleophilic displacement — enabling efficient two-step construction of complex heterocyclic and open-chain pharmacophores. Key downstream products include chloroacetamides, alpha-chloroketones, morpholinones and a range of nitrogen-containing heterocycles.
In agrochemical manufacture, chloroacetyl chloride enters the synthesis of chloroacetanilide herbicides (alachlor, metolachlor, acetochlor) and serves as an intermediate on certain glyphosate production routes. In dye chemistry it provides the fibre-reactive chloroacetyl anchor used in reactive dyestuffs for cotton and viscose.
Chelora supplies chloroacetyl chloride in industrial and pharma grades, packaged in epoxy-lined steel drums and ISO tanks. Every shipment includes a batch-specific COA, SDS and dangerous-goods shipping documentation compliant with ADR, IMDG and IATA regulations.
Technical specifications
Applications & end uses
Industries that depend on Chloroacetyl Chloride
Pharmaceutical intermediates
Chloroacetyl chloride is a critical acylating agent in the synthesis of chloroacetamide derivatives, alpha-chloroketones and heterocyclic ring systems used in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacture. It enables construction of nitrogen-containing pharmacophores found in anxiolytics, analgesics and antihistamines.
Agrochemical synthesis
CAC serves as a building block in the manufacture of herbicides, including intermediates for glyphosate production routes, and chloroacetanilide-class pre-emergence herbicides such as alachlor and metolachlor. It is also used in insecticide and fungicide intermediate synthesis.
Dye intermediates
In dye chemistry, chloroacetyl chloride enables the introduction of a reactive chloroacetyl group onto aromatic amines and phenols, producing reactive dye intermediates and fibre-reactive anchors used in textile dyeing for improved wash-fastness.
Polymer modifiers
CAC is used in the synthesis of specialty monomers and polymer modifiers, including chloroacetyl-functional polymers that serve as cross-linking agents, flame retardant precursors and adhesion promoters in advanced material formulations.
Laboratory reagent
As a versatile acylating and alkylating agent, chloroacetyl chloride is widely used in research laboratories for Friedel-Crafts acylations, N-acylation of amines and O-acylation of alcohols to introduce the chloroacetyl handle for further transformations.
Flavour & fragrance intermediates
Chloroacetyl chloride participates in the synthesis of alpha-haloketones and esters used as intermediates for fragrance aldehydes and flavour chemicals, including certain phenoxyacetic acid derivatives valued in perfumery.
Available grades
Industrial and pharma purity options
≥ 98.5 %
Industrial grade
Agrochemicals, dyes, polymer modifiers
≥ 99.0 %
Pharma grade
API intermediates, pharma synthesis
≥ 99.0 %
Lab / Reagent grade
Research, analytical, lab-scale reactions
Packaging options
DG-compliant packaging for safe transport
50 kg — Epoxy-lined mild steel drum
Standard industrial and pharma unit
200 kg — Epoxy-lined mild steel drum
Bulk manufacturing supply
ISO tank — Stainless steel ISO tank container
Large-volume continuous-process orders
Documentation supplied
Complete paperwork for EHS and regulatory
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Batch-specific results for assay, acidity, water content, colour and density.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
GHS-format 16-section SDS covering toxicity, handling, first aid, firefighting, spill response and disposal.
Specification sheet
Limit values for every test parameter for industrial and pharma grades.
Transport / DG documentation
UN 1752 compliant shipping declaration, IMDG/ADR labels and emergency response guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Chloroacetyl Chloride
What hazard classifications apply to Chloroacetyl Chloride?+
What grades of Chloroacetyl Chloride does Chelora supply?+
How should Chloroacetyl Chloride be stored?+
What packaging options are available for bulk orders?+
What is the typical lead time for Chloroacetyl Chloride?+
Can Chelora supply Chloroacetyl Chloride samples for evaluation?+
Related products
Other reactive intermediates from Chelora
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