Acyl halide meaning

An acyl halide is a type of organic compound where a halogen atom is bonded to a carbon atom of an acyl group.


Acyl halide definitions

Word backwards lyca edilah
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division Ac-yl ha-lide
Plural The plural of acyl halide is acyl halides.
Total letters 10
Vogais (3) a,i,e
Consonants (5) c,y,l,h,d

An acyl halide is a type of organic compound that contains a functional group derived from a carboxylic acid by replacing the hydroxyl group with a halide atom. The general formula for an acyl halide is RCOX, where R represents an alkyl or aryl group and X represents a halogen atom such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Acyl halides are reactive compounds that are widely used in organic synthesis due to their ability to undergo various chemical reactions.

Properties of Acyl Halides

Acyl halides are typically colorless liquids or solids at room temperature, with a sharp and irritating odor. They are highly reactive compounds that are prone to hydrolysis in the presence of water, forming carboxylic acids and hydrogen halides. Acyl halides are also reactive towards nucleophiles, acids, and bases, undergoing substitution and elimination reactions to form a wide range of organic compounds.

Preparation of Acyl Halides

Acyl halides can be prepared by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a halogenating reagent such as thionyl chloride (SOCl2), phosphorus trichloride (PCl3), or phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5). The reaction typically takes place under reflux conditions in the presence of a base or an acid catalyst. Another common method for preparing acyl halides is by the direct halogenation of acid chlorides using elemental halogens.

Reactions of Acyl Halides

Acyl halides are versatile intermediates in organic synthesis and can undergo a variety of reactions to produce complex organic molecules. Some of the most common reactions of acyl halides include nucleophilic acyl substitution, Grignard reactions, Friedel-Crafts acylation, and reduction to aldehydes using metal hydrides such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4). These reactions make acyl halides valuable building blocks for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals.

Overall, acyl halides are important organic compounds with a wide range of applications in the field of organic chemistry. Their reactivity and versatility make them valuable tools for the synthesis of complex molecules and the development of new chemical processes.


Acyl halide Examples

  1. The acyl halide reacted with the alcohol to form an ester.
  2. The chemist synthesized the acyl halide in the laboratory.
  3. Acyl halides are often used in organic synthesis reactions.
  4. The acyl halide underwent a nucleophilic substitution reaction.
  5. The acyl halide was found to be a reactive intermediate in the reaction.
  6. The student studied the mechanism of acyl halide reactions.
  7. The acyl halide exhibited strong acylating properties.
  8. The chemist purified the acyl halide using column chromatography.
  9. The acyl halide was identified by its characteristic IR absorption peak.
  10. The acyl halide was used as a starting material in the synthesis of a pharmaceutical compound.


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  • Updated 01/04/2024 - 15:33:39