Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Perchloroethylene - new research, potential chlorinating agent

deadrush - 1-2-2024 at 08:48

https://phys.org/news/2023-02-drycleaning-solvent-chemical-c...

I understand this article talks about photo-oxidation but could there be a way to utilize this idea to create chlorinated compounds such as chloroacetone?

Say, starting with isopropyl alcohol, and in the process of photo-oxidation, adding chlorine? Honestly i only have college level chem under my belt so i havnt a clue. Very nifty article though regardless

Texium - 1-2-2024 at 10:04

No, absolutely not. This isn't a chlorinating agent, it's more or less a trichloroacetylating agent, and I don't think it's fair to say you have "college level chem under your belt" if you're unable to interpret that from the reaction schemes in the article. Also, with phosgene as a byproduct, it's not a particularly friendly reaction even though the article describes it as "safe."