Chloroalkyl ether

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Chemical structure of chloromethyl methyl ether (MOM-Cl) (Chlormethyl)methylether.svg
Chemical structure of chloromethyl methyl ether (MOM-Cl)

Chloroalkyl ethers are a class of organic compounds with the general structure R-O-(CH2)n-Cl, characterized as an ether connected to a chloromethyl group via an alkane chain.

Chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) is an ether with the formula C H 3 OCH2 Cl . It is used as an alkylating agent and industrial solvent to manufacture dodecylbenzyl chloride, water repellents, ion-exchange resins, polymers, and as a chloromethylation reagent. In organic synthesis the compound is used for the introduction of the methoxymethyl (MOM) protecting group.

Closely related compounds of industrial importance are bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) (closely related to chemical weapon sulfur mustard) [1] and benzyl chloromethyl ether (BOMCl).

Chloromethyl etherR Molar mass CAS number Boiling point °C
Benzyl chloromethyl ether Benzyl Benzyl chloromethyl ether2.svg 156.613587-60-8102 °C @ 14 mmHg (1.9 kPa)
Chloromethyl methyl ether Methyl Methyl chloromethyl ether2.svg 80.51107-30-255-57
Bis(chloromethyl) ether Bis(chloromethyl) ether.svg 114.96542-88-1106
tert-Butyl chloromethyl ether Butyl T-Butoxymethyl chloride.svg 124.5
2-Methoxyethoxymethyl chloride Methoxyethoxymethyl chloride.svg 124.573970-21-650-52 °C @ 13 mmHg (1.7 kPa)
Dichloromethyl methyl ether Dichloromethyl methyl ether.svg 114.964885-02-382 - 85.5 °C
Representative chloroalkyl ethers [2]

Methoxymethyl ethers (MOMs) and methoxyethyl ethers (MEMs) are common protecting groups in organic synthesis.

Safety

Chloroalkyl ethers are strong alkylating agents with attendant dangers. These compounds are human carcinogen. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williamson ether synthesis</span>

The Williamson ether synthesis is an organic reaction, forming an ether from an organohalide and a deprotonated alcohol (alkoxide). This reaction was developed by Alexander Williamson in 1850. Typically it involves the reaction of an alkoxide ion with a primary alkyl halide via an SN2 reaction. This reaction is important in the history of organic chemistry because it helped prove the structure of ethers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alkylation</span> Transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another

Alkylation is the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another. The alkyl group may be transferred as an alkyl carbocation, a free radical, a carbanion, or a carbene. Alkylating agents are reagents for effecting alkylation. Alkyl groups can also be removed in a process known as dealkylation. Alkylating agents are often classified according to their nucleophilic or electrophilic character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protecting group</span> Group of atoms introduced into a compound to prevent subsequent reactions

A protecting group or protective group is introduced into a molecule by chemical modification of a functional group to obtain chemoselectivity in a subsequent chemical reaction. It plays an important role in multistep organic synthesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diazomethane</span> Simplest diazo compound and methylating agent

Diazomethane is the chemical compound CH2N2, discovered by German chemist Hans von Pechmann in 1894. It is the simplest diazo compound. In the pure form at room temperature, it is an extremely sensitive explosive yellow gas; thus, it is almost universally used as a solution in diethyl ether. The compound is a popular methylating agent in the laboratory, but it is too hazardous to be employed on an industrial scale without special precautions. Use of diazomethane has been significantly reduced by the introduction of the safer and equivalent reagent trimethylsilyldiazomethane.

Substances, mixtures, and exposure circumstances in this list have been classified as group 1 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): The agent (mixture) is carcinogenic to humans. The exposure circumstance entails exposures that are carcinogenic to humans. This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl sulfate</span> Chemical compound

Dimethyl sulfate (DMS) is a chemical compound with formula (CH3O)2SO2. As the diester of methanol and sulfuric acid, its formula is often written as (CH3)2SO4 or Me2SO4, where CH3 or Me is methyl. Me2SO4 is mainly used as a methylating agent in organic synthesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formylation reaction</span>

A formylation reaction in organic chemistry refers to organic reactions in which an organic compound is functionalized with a formyl group (-CH=O). The reaction is a route to aldehydes (C-CH=O), formamides (N-CH=O), and formate esters (O-CH=O). A reagent that delivers the formyl group is called a formylating agent. A particularly important formylation process is hydroformylation which converts alkenes to the homologated aldehyde. The conversion of benzene to benzaldehyde is the basis of the Gattermann–Koch reaction:

Bromoethane, also known as ethyl bromide, is a chemical compound of the haloalkanes group. It is abbreviated by chemists as EtBr. This volatile compound has an ether-like odor.

Benzyl chloride, or α-chlorotoluene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2Cl. This colorless liquid is a reactive organochlorine compound that is a widely used chemical building block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methoxymethylenetriphenylphosphorane</span> Chemical compound

Methoxymethylenetriphenylphosphine is a Wittig reagent used for the homologization of aldehydes, and ketones to extended aldehydes, a organic reaction first reported in 1958. The reagent is generally prepared and used in situ. It has blood-red color, indicative of destabilized ylides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethoxymethane</span> Chemical compound

Dimethoxymethane, also called methylal, is a colorless flammable liquid with a low boiling point, low viscosity and excellent dissolving power. It has a chloroform-like odor and a pungent taste. It is the dimethyl acetal of formaldehyde. Dimethoxymethane is soluble in three parts water and miscible with most common organic solvents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl vinyl ketone</span> Chemical compound

Methyl vinyl ketone (MVK, IUPAC name: butenone) is the organic compound with the formula CH3C(O)CH=CH2. It is a reactive compound classified as an enone, in fact the simplest example thereof. It is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic liquid with a pungent odor. It is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It is a useful intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds.

The Blanc chloromethylation is the chemical reaction of aromatic rings with formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride to form chloromethyl arenes. The reaction is catalyzed by Lewis acids such as zinc chloride. The reaction was discovered by Gustave Louis Blanc (1872-1927) in 1923

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloromethyl methyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) is a compound with formula CH3OCH2Cl. A colorless liquid, it is a chloroalkyl ether. It is used as an alkylating agent. In organic synthesis, it is used for introducing the methoxymethyl ether (MOM) protecting group, and is thus often called MOM-Cl or MOM chloride. It also finds application as a chloromethylating agent in some variants of the Blanc chloromethylation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bis(chloromethyl) ether</span> Chemical compound

Bis(chloromethyl) ether is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH2Cl)2O. It is a colourless liquid with an unpleasant suffocating odour and it is one of the chloroalkyl ethers. Bis(chloromethyl) ether was once produced on a large scale, but was found to be highly carcinogenic and thus such production has ceased.

In organic chemistry, a methoxymethyl ether is a functional group with the formula ROCH2OCH3, abbreviated MOM. Methoxymethyl ethers are often employed in organic synthesis to protect alcohols. They are usually derived from 2-methoxymethyl chloride. Closely related to MOM ethers are methoxyethoxymethoxy (MEM) protecting groups, introduced using 2-methoxyethoxymethyl chloride. The MEM protecting groups are more easily installed and more easily removed.

Organobromine compounds, also called organobromides, are organic compounds that contain carbon bonded to bromine. The most pervasive is the naturally produced bromomethane.

Bis(chloroethyl) ether is an organic compound with the formula O(CH2CH2Cl)2. It is an ether with two 2-chloroethyl substituents. It is a colorless liquid with the odor of a chlorinated solvent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Propargyl bromide</span> Chemical compound

Propargyl bromide, also known as 3-bromo-prop-1-yne, is an organic compound with the chemical formula HC≡CCH2Br. A colorless liquid, it is a halogenated organic compound consisting of propyne with a bromine substituent on the methyl group. It has a lachrymatory effect, like related compounds. The compound is used as a reagent in organic synthesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Trimethylsilyl)methyl chloride</span> Chemical compound

(Trimethylsilyl)methyl chloride is the organosilicon compound with the formula (CH3)3SiCH2Cl. A colorless, volatile liquid, it is an alkylating agent that is employed in organic synthesis, especially as a precursor to (trimethylsilyl)methyllithium. In the presence of triphenylphosphine, it olefinates benzophenones:

References

  1. Bis(Chloromethyl) ether Safety Data Sheet, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, US National Institutes of Health
  2. "Sigma-Aldrich: Analytical, Biology, Chemistry & Materials Science products and services".
  3. Bis(chloromethyl) Ether and Technical-Grade Chloromethyl Methyl Ether CAS Nos. 542-88-1 and 107-30-2, Report on carcinogens, Eleventh edition