Trichloroacetyl chloride is the organochlorine compound with the formula . Iti s the acyl chloride of trichloroacetic acid.
It is produced industrially by photooxidation of tetrachloroethylene:
The method proceeds by the isomerization of tetrachloroethylene oxide.
It can also be formed by chlorination acetyl chloride or acetaldehyde in the presence of activated charcoal
Reactions and uses It is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and plant protection compounds. US Patent No. 5,659,078 to Ebmeyer et al., "Process for the preparation of trichloroacetyl chloride," issued August 19, 1997 (as reproduced by freepatentsonline.com and retrieved on October 23, 2007).
In organic synthesis, Trichloroacetyl chloride serves as a precursor to dichloroketene:
References