BENZYL CHLORIDE

BENZYL CHLORIDE
DESCRIPTION
Synonyms:  Chloromethylbenzene, Alpha-Chlorotoluene.

Chemical formula: C 6 H 5 CH 2 Cl

Release form and appearance
Colorless (for a technical product a yellowish tint is possible) liquid, oily, with a pungent suffocating odor.

Production
In industry, benzyl chloride is obtained by liquid-phase chlorination of toluene followed by vacuum rectification. The chlorination process can be either catalytic or UV-initiated.

Properties
It is insoluble in water, but undergoes hydrolysis to form benzyl alcohol and hydrogen chloride. Miscible with organic solvents. Strong lacrimator. Possesses high volatility. Explosion and fire hazard. A precursor to phenylacetic acid, as a result, the circulation of benzyl chloride is controlled by government agencies in many countries.

Main areas and methods of application
Used to obtain benzyl alcohol, benzyl ethers, phenylacetic and benzoic acids. It is widely used as an alkylating agent in the synthesis of quaternary ammonium salts from tertiary amines (preparation of surfactants).

Safety rules and storage
Hazard class 6.1. Do not store at temperatures above 50 ° C. Store in a separate and dedicated place in the original container, protected from light, cool and well-ventilated, away from sources of ignition and oxidizing agents. The container with benzyl chloride must be tightly closed.

Packaging: 
in barrels of 180, 200 or 220 liters
in bulk in tank cars, ISO tanks.