Isopropyl chloride

Isopropyl chloride is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH3)2CHCl.

It is a colourless to slightly yellow, volatile, flammable liquid with a sweet, ether-like (almost like petroleum) odour.

It is produced industrially by the addition of HCl to propylene:[1] Isopropyl chloride can be easily produced in the lab by reacting concentrated hydrochloric acid with isopropyl alcohol in the presence of a calcium chloride or zinc chloride catalyst.

The isopropyl chloride is then separated from the remaining isopropyl alcohol by washing with water (the isopropyl chloride will form in insoluble layer above the water, while the alcohol will dissolve into solution along with any HCl present).

[2] When burned, isopropyl chloride releases copious amounts of hydrogen chloride gas, water vapor, carbon oxides, and some soot.

Skeletal formula
Skeletal formula
Space-filling model
Space-filling model
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroform Flammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propane Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code