It is a colourless viscous oil that dissolves in organic solvents, but reacts with compounds containing reactive N-H and O-H bonds.

It is mainly used to prepare sulfonamides and sulfonate esters by reactions with amines and alcohols, respectively.

[1] The closely related compound toluenesulfonyl chloride is often preferred analogue because it is a solid at room temperature and easier to handle.

The compound is prepared by the chlorsulfonation of benzene: Benzenesulfonic acid is an intermediate in this conversion.

Benzenesulfonyl chloride can also be prepared by treating benzenesulfonate salts with phosphorus oxychloride.