It belongs to the class of organic compounds called acid halides.

However, these methods usually give acetyl chloride contaminated by phosphorus or sulfur impurities, which may interfere with the organic reactions.

For further information on the types of chemical reactions compounds such as acetyl chloride can undergo, see acyl halide.

Two major classes of acetylations include esterification and the Friedel-Crafts reaction.

Acetyl chloride is a reagent for the preparation of esters and amides of acetic acid, used in the derivatization of alcohols and amines.